Memory component, memory device, and method of operating memory device

ABSTRACT

A memory component includes: a first electrode; a memory layer; and a second electrode which are provided in that order, wherein the memory layer includes an ion source layer containing aluminum (Al) together with at least one chalcogen element selected from the group consisting of tellurium (Te), sulfur (S), and selenium (Se), and a resistance variable layer provided between the ion source layer and the first electrode and containing an aluminum oxide and at least one of a transition metal oxide and a transition metal oxynitride having a lower resistance than the aluminum oxide.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

The present application claims priority to Japanese Priority PatentApplications JP 2010-026573 and JP 2010-261517 filed in the Japan PatentOffice on Feb. 9, 2010 and Nov. 24, 2010, respectively, the entirecontents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a memory component and a memory devicecapable of storing information using a change in electricalcharacteristics of a memory layer that includes an ion source layer anda resistance variable layer, and a method of operating a memory device.

2. Description of the Related Art

In information equipment such as a computer, high-speed and high-densityDRAMs (Dynamic Random Access Memory) have been widely used as a randomaccess memory. However, DRAMs involve high manufacturing costs due totheir complicated manufacturing process as compared to typical logiccircuit LSIs and signal processing circuits used in electronicequipment. Moreover, DRAMs are volatile memories in which information islost when power is turned off. Therefore, it is necessary for DRAMs toperform a frequent refresh operation; that is, the written information(data) must be read, amplified again and rewritten.

In the related art, for example, flash memories, FeRAMs (FerroelectricRandom Access Memories; ferroelectric memories), MRAMs (MagnetoresistiveRandom Access Memories; magnetic memory components), and the like havebeen proposed as nonvolatile memories which can retain information evenwhen power is turned off. These memories can retain the writteninformation for an extended period even when no power is supplied.However, these memories have their advantages and disadvantages. Thatis, flash memories have a high degree of integration but aredisadvantageous in terms of operating speed. FeRAMs have limitations inmicro-patterning required for higher degrees of integration and alsohave problems with their manufacturing process. MRAMs have problems withtheir power consumption.

Therefore, a new type of memory component is proposed which isparticularly advantageous in overcoming the limitations inmicro-patterning memory components. This memory component has astructure in which an ion conductor containing a certain metal issandwiched between two electrodes. In this memory component, the metalcontained in the ion conductor is contained in anyone of the twoelectrodes. As a result, when a voltage is applied between the twoelectrodes, the metal contained in the electrode diffuses into the ionconductor as ions. Thus, electrical characteristics, such as aresistance value or a capacitance, of the ion conductor are changed. Forexample, JP-T-2002-536840 proposes an example of a memory device usingthis property. The memory device proposed in JP-T-2002-536840 has aconfiguration in which the ion conductor is made of a solid solution ofchalcogenide and metal. Specifically, the ion conductor is made of amaterial in which Ag, Cu or Zn is dissolved in AsS, GeS, and GeSe, andAg, Cu, or Zn is contained in any one of the two electrodes.

In the configuration disclosed in JP-T-2002-536840, due to a temperaturerise during the manufacturing process or a long-term thermal load whendata is retained for an extended period, crystallization of the ionconductor is accelerated, and the original electrical characteristicssuch as a resistance value are changed. Therefore, JP-A-2005-197634proposes a configuration in which a thin memory film made of agadolinium oxide film is provided between the ion conductor and theelectrode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, the configuration disclosed in JP-A-2005-197634 has aninsufficient erasure performance, and when a number of bits arerewritten, the resistance value in the erased state tends to shifttowards the lower side. Thus, a resistance separation width between theresistance value in the written state and the resistance value in theerased state is not sufficient, and there is room for improvement inrepetition durability.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a memory component and a memorydevice having improved repetition durability and a method of operating amemory device.

A memory component according to an embodiment of the present inventionincludes a first electrode, a memory layer, and a second electrode whichare provided in that order. The memory layer includes the followingconstituent elements (A) and (B).

(A) An ion source layer containing aluminum (Al) together with at leastone chalcogen element selected from the group consisting of tellurium(Te), sulfur (S), and selenium (Se).

(B) A resistance variable layer provided between the ion source layerand the first electrode and containing an aluminum oxide and at leastone of a transition metal oxide and a transition metal oxynitride havinga lower resistance than the aluminum oxide.

A memory device according to an embodiment of the present inventionincludes a plurality of memory components, each including a firstelectrode, a memory layer, and a second electrode which are provided inthat order, and a pulse application means for selectively applies avoltage or current pulse to the plurality of memory components. Theplurality of memory components are configured by the memory componentaccording to the embodiment of the present invention.

A method of operating a memory device according to an embodiment of thepresent invention includes the steps of applying a voltage between afirst electrode and a second electrode, so that in an ion source layer,aluminum (Al) ions and ions of a metal element contained in the ionsource layer are moved towards the first electrode side, and in aresistance variable layer, a conduction path is formed by a reductionreaction of an aluminum oxide or the ions of the metal element, thusrealizing a low-resistance state; and applying a reverse polarityvoltage between the first electrode and the second electrode, so that inthe ion source layer, the aluminum (Al) ions and the ions of the metalelement contained in the ion source layer are moved towards the secondelectrode side, and in the resistance variable layer, the aluminum (Al)ions form an aluminum oxide through an oxidation reaction, thusrealizing a high-resistance state, or the reduced metal element isionized to move towards the ion source layer, thus destroying theconduction path and realizing a high-resistance state.

In the memory component, the memory device, or the method of operatingthe memory device according to the embodiment of the present invention,when a voltage or current pulse of a “positive direction” (for example,the first electrode side is the negative potential, and the secondelectrode side is the positive potential) is applied to the memorycomponent in the initial state (high-resistance state), in the ionsource layer, aluminum (Al) ions and ions of a metal element containedin the ion source layer are moved towards the first electrode side. Inthis case, in the first electrode, a conduction path is formed by areduction reaction of an aluminum oxide or the ions of the metalelement, whereby a low-resistance state (a written state) is realized.When a voltage pulse of a “negative direction” (for example, the firstelectrode side is the positive potential, and the second electrode sideis the negative potential) is applied to the memory component in thelow-resistance state, in the ion source layer, the aluminum (Al) ionsand the ions of the metal element contained in the ion source layer aremoved towards the second electrode side. In this case, in the resistancevariable layer, the aluminum (Al) ions form an aluminum oxide through anoxidation reaction, or the reduced metal element is ionized by theoxidation reaction and dissolved into the ion source layer, whereby theconduction path is destroyed and the resistance of the resistancevariable layer increases (the initial state or an erased state isrealized).

Although whether the write operation and the erase operation will beassociated to either the low-resistance state or the high-resistancestate depends on definitions; in this specification, the low-resistancestate is defined as the written state, and the high-resistance state isdefined as the erased state.

In this specification, since the resistance variable layer contains thealuminum oxide and at least one of the transition metal oxide and thetransition metal oxynitride having a lower resistance than the aluminumoxide, even when the voltage or current pulse of the positive directionis applied to the memory component, it is difficult for a voltage biasto be applied to the transition metal oxide or the transition metaloxynitride. Therefore, even when the memory component is in the writtenstate (low-resistance state), the transition metal oxide or thetransition metal oxynitride is not reduced but forms an oxide film or anoxynitride film on the first electrode. Therefore, it is possible toprevent an unnecessary oxidation reaction between the first electrodeand the chalcogen element contained in the ion source layer fromoccurring in response to repeated write and erase operations.

According to the memory component or the memory device of the embodimentof the present invention, since the resistance variable layer containsthe aluminum oxide and at least one of a transition metal oxide and atransition metal oxynitride having a lower resistance than the aluminumoxide, it is possible to improve the repetition durability thereof.

According to the method of operating the memory device of the embodimentof the present invention, when a voltage is applied between a firstelectrode and a second electrode, in an ion source layer, aluminum (Al)ions and ions of a metal element contained in the ion source layer aremoved towards the first electrode side, and in a resistance variablelayer, a conduction path is formed by a reduction reaction of analuminum oxide or the ions of the metal element, thus realizing alow-resistance state. Moreover, when a reverse polarity voltage isapplied between the first electrode and the second electrode, in the ionsource layer, the aluminum (Al) ions and the ions of the metal elementcontained in the ion source layer are moved towards the second electrodeside, and in the resistance variable layer, the aluminum (Al) ions forman aluminum oxide through an oxidation reaction, thus realizing ahigh-resistance state, or the reduced metal element is ionized to movetowards the ion source layer, thus destroying the conduction path andrealizing a high-resistance state. Therefore, it is possible to improvethe repetition durability of the memory device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a memorycomponent according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of a first layershown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a memorycomponent according to Modification 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a memorycomponent according to Modification 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a memorycomponent according to Modification 3.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a memorycomponent according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a memorycomponent according to Modification 4.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of a first layershown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a memorycomponent according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the dependence of the volume resistivity ofa Te—Zr film on the additive amount of Zr.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a memorycomponent according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the dependence of the volume resistivity ofa Te—Zr film on an oxygen flow rate at the time of film deposition.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a simplified configuration ofa memory cell array using the memory component of FIG. 1.

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the memory cell array.

FIGS. 15A to 15C are diagrams showing the results of Example 1.

FIGS. 16A to 16C are diagrams showing the results of Example 2.

FIGS. 17A and 17B are diagrams showing the results of Example 3.

FIGS. 18A to 18C are diagrams showing the results of Comparative Example1.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrams showing the results of ComparativeExample 2.

FIGS. 20A to 20C are diagrams showing the results of Comparative Example3.

FIGS. 21A and 21B are diagrams showing the results of experiments toexamine the effect of a first layer made of a transition metal oxide.

FIGS. 22A to 22C are TEM-EDX images of a memory component of Example 2.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the results of EDX profiles of therespective elements shown in FIGS. 24A to 24F.

FIGS. 24A to 24F are diagrams showing the results of the EDX profiles ofthe respective components of the memory component of Example 2.

FIGS. 25A and 25B are diagrams showing the results of Example 4-1.

FIGS. 26A and 26B are diagrams showing the results of Example 4-2.

FIGS. 27A and 27B are diagrams showing the results of Example 5-1.

FIGS. 28A and 28B are diagrams showing the results of Example 6-1.

FIGS. 29A and 29B are diagrams showing the results of Example 6-2.

FIGS. 30A and 30B are diagrams showing the results of Example 6-3.

FIGS. 31A and 31B are diagrams showing the results of Example 6-4.

FIGS. 32A and 32B are diagrams showing the results of Example 6-5.

FIGS. 33A to 33C are diagrams showing the results of Example 7-1.

FIGS. 34A to 34C are diagrams showing the results of Example 7-2.

FIGS. 35A to 35C are diagrams showing the results of Example 7-3.

FIGS. 36A and 36B are diagrams showing the results of Examples 8-1 and8-2.

FIGS. 37A and 37B are diagrams showing the results of Examples 8-3 and8-4.

FIGS. 38A and 38B are diagrams showing the results of Examples 9-1 and9-2.

FIGS. 39A to 39C are diagrams showing the results of Example 10.

FIGS. 40A to 40C are diagrams showing the results of Example 11.

FIGS. 41A and 41B are diagrams showing the results of examination oferasure characteristics of Examples 10 and 11.

FIGS. 42A to 42C are diagrams showing the results of Example 12.

FIGS. 43A and 43B are diagrams showing the results of Example 13-1.

FIGS. 44A and 44B are diagrams showing the results of Example 13-2.

FIGS. 45A and 45B are diagrams showing the results of Example 13-3.

FIGS. 46A to 46C are diagrams showing the results of Example 14.

FIGS. 47A to 47C are diagrams showing the results of Example 15.

FIGS. 48A to 48C are diagrams showing the results of Example 16.

FIGS. 49A to 49C are diagrams showing the results of Example 17.

FIGS. 50A and 50B are diagrams showing the results of Example 18.

FIGS. 51A and 51B are diagrams showing the results of ComparativeExample 4.

FIGS. 52A to 52C are diagrams showing the results of Example 19.

FIGS. 53A and 53B are diagrams showing the results of Example 20.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the drawings. The description willbe given in the following order.

1. First Embodiment (Memory component where a first layer made of atransition metal oxide and a second layer containing an aluminum oxideas its main component are laminated in that order as a resistancevariable layer, and an ion source layer includes an intermediate layerand an ion supply layer)

2. Modification 1 (Memory component where a resistance variable layercontains an aluminum oxide and a transition metal oxide in the mixedstate, and an ion source layer includes an intermediate layer and an ionsupply layer)

3. Modification 2 (Memory component where a first layer made of atransition metal oxide and a second layer containing an aluminum oxideas its main component are laminated in that order as a resistancevariable layer, and an ion source layer is made up of a single layer)

4. Modification 3 (Memory component where a resistance variable layercontains an aluminum oxide and a transition metal oxide in the mixedstate, and an ion source layer is made up of a single layer)

5. Second Embodiment (Memory component where a first layer made of atransition metal oxynitride and a second layer containing an aluminumoxide as its main component are laminated in that order as a resistancevariable layer, and an ion source layer includes an intermediate layerand an ion supply layer)

6. Modification 4 (Memory component where a first layer includes atransition metal oxide layer and a transition metal oxynitride layer)

7. Third Embodiment (Memory component where a transition metal is addedin an intermediate layer)

8. Fourth Embodiment (Memory component where oxygen is added in at leastone of an intermediate layer and an ion supply layer)

9. Memory device

10. Examples

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of a memorycomponent 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.The memory component 1 includes a lower electrode 10 (first electrode),a memory layer 20, and an upper electrode 30 (second electrode) whichare provided in that order. The memory layer 20 includes an ion sourcelayer 21 and a resistance variable layer 22 which are provided in thatorder from the side of the upper electrode 30.

The lower electrode 10 is provided on a silicon substrate 41 on which aCMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) circuit, for example, isformed as described later (see FIG. 13), and serves as a connectionportion to the CMOS circuit portion. The lower electrode 10 is formed ofa wiring material used in the semiconductor process, such as, forexample, tungsten (W), tungsten nitride (WN), copper (Cu), aluminum(Al), Molybdenum (Mo), tantalum (Ta), and silicide. When the lowerelectrode 10 is formed of a material such as Cu which is likely to causeionic conduction under an electric field, the surface of the lowerelectrode 10 made of Cu or the like may be coated with a material suchas W, WN, TiN, or TaN which rarely cause ionic conduction or thermaldiffusion.

The lower electrode 10 is preferably formed of at least one transitionmetal selected from the group consisting of titanium (Ti), zirconium(Zr), hafnium (Hf), vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), Ta, chromium (Cr), Mo,and W or a nitride thereof. This is because a transition metal oxide (ora first oxide layer 22A made of a transition metal oxide) in aresistance variable layer 22 described later can be easily formed byoxidizing the surface of the lower electrode 10.

The ion source layer 21 has the role of an ion supply source and mainlyhas an amorphous structure. The ion source layer 21 contains at leastone chalcogen element selected from the group consisting of tellurium(Te), sulfur (S), and selenium (Se) as an ion conducting material whichbecomes anions. Moreover, the ion source layer 21 contains Al as anelement that forms an oxide at the time of erasure.

In addition, the ion source layer 21 contains at least one metalelement. As the metal element contained in the ion source layer 21, atleast one metal element selected from the group consisting of Cu, zinc(Zn), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe),Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and W is preferably used, for example.The element Al and some of these metal elements have the function of anion conducting material which becomes cations.

Since the ion source layer 21 preferably contains Zr as the metalelement in order to make the ion source layer 21 amorphous. This isbecause the characteristics of retaining the resistance value of alow-resistance state (a written state) or a high-resistance state (aninitial state or an erased state) can be improved. In thisspecification, the low-resistance state is defined as the written state,and the high-resistance state is defined as the erased state. Moreover,when combined with Zr, the element Cu easily forms an amorphousstructure, maintains a uniform micro-structure of the ion source layer21, and has the function of a metal element which becomes cations.

Other elements may be added in the ion source layer 21 as necessary.Examples of additive elements include magnesium (Mg), germanium (Ge),silicon (Si), and the like. The element Mg easily becomes cations and isused to form an oxide film with a removal bias to easily realize ahigh-resistance state. The element Ge forms an oxide at the time oferasure similarly to Al, thus stabilizing the high-resistance state(erased state) and also contributing to an increase of the allowablenumber of repeated operations. The element Si is an additive elementwhich can both suppress a film detachment during a high-temperature heattreatment of the memory layer 20 and improve the data retentioncharacteristics, and which may be added in the ion source layer 21together with Zr.

A specific example of such a material of the ion source layer 21includes materials having the compositions ZrTeAl, ZrTeAlGe, CuZrTeAl,CuZrTeAlGe, CuHfTeAl, CuTiTeAl, AgZrTeAl, NiZrTeAl, CoZrTeAl, MnZrTeAl,and FeZrTeAl.

The content of Al in the ion source layer 21 is 30 to 50 at %, forexample. The content of Zr in the ion source layer 21 is preferably 7.5to 26 at %, and the composition ratio (=[Zr (at %)]/[total number ofatoms of chalcogen element (at %)]) of Zr to the total number of atomsof the chalcogen element contained in the ion source layer 21 ispreferably in the range of 0.2 to 0.74. The content of Ge in the ionsource layer 21 is preferably 15 at % or smaller. The content of Si inthe ion source layer 21 is preferably in the range of about 10 to 45 at%. With this configuration, the respective constituent elements can bestperform their roles. Details thereof will be described later.

The resistance variable layer 22 is provided between the ion sourcelayer 21 and the lower electrode 10 and has the function of a barrier toelectrical conduction. The resistance variable layer 22 contains analuminum oxide (AlOx) and a transition metal oxide having a lowerresistance than the aluminum oxide. Specifically, the resistancevariable layer 22 has a configuration in which a first layer 22A made ofa transition metal oxide and a second layer 22B having a high resistanceand containing an aluminum oxide as its main component are laminated inthat order from the side of the lower electrode 10. In this way, therepetition durability of the memory component 1 can be increased.

The transition metal oxide (or the first layer 22A) contained in theresistance variable layer 22 is preferably an oxide having conductiveproperties and one which does not have high insulation properties.Specifically, the transition metal oxide is preferably an oxide of atleast one transition metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr,Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and W.

The aluminum oxide (or the second layer 22B) contained in the resistancevariable layer 22 is formed by an oxidation reaction on the lowerelectrode 10 side caused by a movement or diffusion of ions of Alcontained in the ion source layer 21 or application of a voltage to thelower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 30. Although the aluminumoxide (or the second layer 22B) contained in the resistance variablelayer 22 is already formed at the time of manufacturing the memorycomponent 1, the aluminum oxide tends to grow larger (that is, thethickness becomes larger) in the high-resistance state (erased state)described later.

The thickness of the first layer 22A is preferably 1 nm or more. This isbecause favorable resistance separation characteristics can be obtainedwith that thickness. Moreover, the first layer 22A preferably has athickness such that the resistance of the first layer 22A becomes lowerthan the resistance value of the second layer 22B. This is because, ifthe thickness of the first layer 22A is too large, the first layer 22Ahas a higher resistance than the second layer 22B, thus deterioratingthe operation characteristics. The density of the transition metal oxideconstituting the first layer 22A is preferably 4 g/cm³ or smaller in thecase of a titanium oxide (TiOx), for example.

In addition, the ion source layer 21 preferably has a two-layeredstructure in which an intermediate layer 21A and an ion supply layer 21Bare laminated in that order from the side of the lower electrode 10. Theintermediate layer 21A contains at least one chalcogen element selectedfrom the group consisting of Te, S, and Se together with Al. The ionsupply layer 21B has the same configuration as the ion source layer 21described above. That is, the ion supply layer 21B contains at least onemetal element selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zn, Ag, Ni, Co,Mn, Fe, Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and W together with Al and achalcogen element. With this configuration, it is possible to improvethe data retention characteristics while maintaining favorablerepetition durability and allow a low-current nonvolatile memoryoperation. The ion supply layer 21B preferably contains theabove-mentioned metal element and has a configuration in which anunnecessary element diffusion and a layer mixing are suppressed.

In particular, the ion supply layer 21B preferably contains at least oneelement selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ti, Zr, and Hftogether with Al and a chalcogen element. The use of these elementsenable stabilizing an amorphous structure to maintain a matrixstructure, and as a result, the reliability of a write and eraseoperation is improved. Among them, when combined with Zr, the element Cueasily forms an amorphous structure and has a function of maintaining auniform micro-structure of the ion supply layer 21B.

In addition, the ion supply layer 21B may contain other additiveelements such as Ge, Si, or Mg as necessary.

The ratio (Al concentration) of the content of Al to the content of achalcogen element in the intermediate layer 21A is preferably smallerthan the ratio (Al concentration) of the content of Al to the content ofa chalcogen element in the ion supply layer 21B. Since it is consideredthat the Al in the intermediate layer 21A is generated by a diffusionwhich is caused by a concentration gradient with respect to the ionsupply layer 21B, it is considered that the Al content is smaller than astoichiometric composition of Al₂Te₃, for example. Therefore, it isconsidered that most of the Al in the intermediate layer 21A is presentin the ionic state. The applied potential is effectively used fordriving the ions, whereby the above-described data retentioncharacteristics can be improved and a low-current nonvolatile memoryoperation is made possible.

The upper electrode 30 is formed of a wiring material used in thewell-known semiconductor process similarly to the lower electrode 10.

In the memory component 1 of the present embodiment, when a voltage orcurrent pulse is applied from a power supply (a pulse application means)(not shown) through the lower electrode 10 and the upper electrode 30,the electrical characteristics (for example, a resistance value) of thememory layer 20 are changed by a redox reaction of the aluminum oxide orthe ions of the metal element contained in the ion source layer 21(specifically, the ion supply layer 21B). In this way, information isstored (written, erased, and read). The operation of the memorycomponent 1 will be described in detail below.

First, a positive voltage is applied to the memory component 1 so thatthe upper electrode 30 is on the positive potential side, and the lowerelectrode 10 is on the negative potential side, for example. In thisway, the Al ions are moved towards the lower electrode 10 side in theion source layer 21, and a reduction reaction of the second layer 22Bcontaining an aluminum oxide as its main component occurs on thetransition metal oxide layer 22A, whereby a low-resistance state(written state) is realized.

Moreover, the metal element contained in the ion source layer 21 isionized, and the metal ions are moved and diffused into the resistancevariable layer 22 and reduced on the lower electrode 10 side. As aresult, a conduction path which is reduced to a metallic state or alower resistance state than the second layer 22B is formed at theinterface between the lower electrode 10 and the memory layer 20.Alternatively, the ionized metal element remains in the resistancevariable layer 22 and forms an impurity level, and a conduction path isformed in the resistance variable layer 22. Therefore, the resistancevalue of the memory layer 20 decreases and changes from thehigh-resistance state of the initial state to the low-resistance state.

After that, even when the positive voltage is removed so that no voltageis applied to the memory component 1, the low-resistance state ismaintained. In this way, information is written. When the memorycomponent 1 is applied to a once-writable memory device which is calleda PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory) is used, recording of informationis completed only by the above-described recording process.

On the other hand, when the memory component 1 is applied to an erasablememory device, namely, a RAM (Random Access Memory), an EEPROM(Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), or thelike, an erasure process is necessary. In the erasure process, anegative voltage is applied to the memory component 1 so that the upperelectrode 30 is on the negative potential side, and the lower electrode10 is on the positive potential side, for example. In this way, the Alions are moved towards the upper electrode 30 side in the ion sourcelayer 21, and the Al ions form the second layer 22B containing analuminum oxide as its main component on the first layer 22A through anoxidation reaction, whereby a high-resistance state (erased state) isrealized.

Moreover, the metal element in the reduced state which forms theconduction path in the memory layer 20 is ionized by an oxidationreaction and dissolved into the ion source layer 21 or combined with Teor the like, whereby the resistance state changes to a higher resistancestate. In this way, the conduction path formed by the metal elementdisappears or decreases, and the resistance value increases.Alternatively, an additive element such as Ge present in the ion sourcelayer 21 forms an oxide film on the lower electrode 10, whereby theresistance state changes to a high-resistance state.

After that, even when the negative voltage is removed so that no voltageis applied to the memory component 1, the high-resistance state ismaintained. In this way, written information can be erased. By repeatingsuch a process, an operation of writing information and erasing writteninformation to/from the memory component 1 can be performed repeatedly.

For example, when a high-resistance state is associated to informationof “0” and a low-resistance state is associated to information of “1,”the information can be changed from “0” to “1” by an informationrecording process with the application of a positive voltage, and theinformation can be changed from “1” to “0” by an information erasureprocess with the application of a negative voltage.

In order to demodulate the recorded data, it is preferable that theratio of an initial resistance value to the resistance value after therecording is large. However, if the resistance value of thehigh-resistance layer is too high, it is difficult to write information,that is, realize the low-resistance state, and thus a writing thresholdvoltage becomes too high. Therefore, the initial resistance value isadjusted to 1 GΩ or smaller. The resistance value of the high-resistancelayer 22 can be controlled, for example, by the thickness thereof, theamount of oxygen contained therein, and the like.

In the above description, the write operation is defined as an operationof changing the resistance state to the low-resistance state “1”, andthe erase operation is defined as an operation of changing theresistance state to the high-resistance state “0”. To the contrary, anoperation of changing the resistance state from the high-resistancestate “1” to the low-resistance state “0” may be defined as the eraseoperation. In this case, the write operation and the erase operation maybe switched from those in the above description.

In this specification, since the resistance variable layer 22 has aconfiguration in which the first layer 22A made of a transition metaloxide and the second layer 22B containing an aluminum oxide as its maincomponent are laminated in that order from the side of the lowerelectrode 10, even when the above-mentioned positive voltage is appliedto the memory component, a voltage bias is rarely applied to the firstlayer 22A. Therefore, even when the memory component is in the writtenstate (low-resistance state), the first layer 22A is not reduced butforms an oxide film on the lower electrode 10. Therefore, an unnecessaryoxidation reaction between the lower electrode 10 and the chalcogenelement contained in the ion source layer 21 is suppressed fromoccurring in response to repeated write and erase operations.

That is, when the first layer 22A is not provided on the lower electrode10 made of a metal material such as W or Ti, but the ion source layer 21or the intermediate layer 21A is formed in contact with the lowerelectrode 10, favorable operation characteristics and favorable dataretention characteristics are obtained. That is, the high-resistancestate and the low-resistance state are clearly realized when the numberof repeated operations is 10 to 100. However, when the number ofrepeated operations increases further, errors occur mainly in the eraseoperation, and the resistance state rarely returns to thehigh-resistance state, whereby the element characteristics deteriorate.This is considered to be attributable to the fact that in addition tothe above-described redox reaction, an oxidation reaction also occurs inwhich the lower electrode 10 reacts with the chalcogen element containedin the intermediate layer 21A or the ion source layer 21. In the presentembodiment, since the first layer 22A made of the transition metal oxideis provided on the lower electrode 10, an unnecessary oxidation reactionin which the lower electrode 10 is chalcogenized is suppressed, therepetition reliability is improved, and the lifespan of a memory isimproved.

In addition, when the resistance variable layer 22 has a two-layeredstructure of the first layer 22A and the second layer 22B, and the ionsource layer 21 has a two-layered structure of the intermediate layer21A and the ion supply layer 21B, the data retention characteristics areimproved while maintaining favorable repetition durability. Although thereason thereof is not clear, this is considered to be attributable tothe following fact.

When a low-resistance state is realized by the write operation, areduction reaction occurs near the interface of the lower electrode 10.Specifically, the second layer 22B containing the aluminum oxide as itsmain component is reduced, and the Al ions are moved into the ion sourcelayer 21 and reduced near the interface of the lower electrode 10,whereby metal-like Al is formed. When a write voltage bias is stopped soas to realize a data retention state, the Al metal is easily oxidized,and a high-resistance state is realized when the Al metal combines withoxygen. This is considered to be the data retention error of thelow-resistance state. On the other hand, the chalcogen element abundantin the intermediate layer 21A reacts with Al metal very easily, and evenwhen Al metal is generated, since the generated Al metal willsequentially react with the chalcogen element, a high-resistance stateis realized. Therefore, there will be little data retention error, andthe data retention performance is improved.

That is, as described above, the ratio (Al concentration) of the contentof Al to the content of the chalcogen element in the intermediate layer21A is smaller than the ratio (Al concentration) of the content of Al tothe content of the chalcogen element in the ion supply layer 21B.Therefore, the Al metal generated by the reduction reaction of the Alions at the time of the write operation becomes an aluminum oxide againwhen the write voltage bias is removed, and the aluminum oxide does notincrease the component resistance but is dissolved into the intermediatelayer 21A which is capable of dissolving Al. Therefore, there will be noincrease in the resistance, and favorable data retention characteristicscan be obtained.

In addition, as for the erase operation, although ionized Al iscontained in the intermediate layer 21A, the Al ions can easily move inthe intermediate layer 21A containing an abundant chalcogen element.Therefore, Al ions are easily supplied by the erase bias and the erasureperformance is improved. As a result, it is considered that theresistance separation width between the low-resistance state and thehigh-resistance state is widened.

In addition to this, since the ion source layer 21 has a two-layeredstructure of the intermediate layer 21A and the ion supply layer 21B,the data retention characteristics at a low current and a high speed canbe improved.

That is, when the memory component 1 is combined with transistors toform a nonvolatile memory cell, in order to increase the capacity of amemory cell using the high-tech semiconductor process, it is necessaryto achieve miniaturization of the memory component 1 and the transistor.Since the driving current decreases as the size of the transistor isminiaturized, in order to realize a high-capacity and low-powernonvolatile memory, it is necessary to improve data retentioncharacteristics in the state of being rewritten with a low current.Furthermore, in order to realize a high-capacity nonvolatile memorycapable of performing a high-speed rewrite operation, it is necessary tohave data retention characteristics of retaining the rewrittenresistance state at a low current of the miniaturized transistor and ata high speed using short pulses on the nanosecond order.

However, in the related art, since the low-resistance andhigh-resistance recording states realized by lower rewrite energy arelikely to be affected by thermal disturbance, there was a problem inthat it is difficult to retain data as the current decreases and therewrite speed increases.

When data is written with a low current of a transistor having lowcurrent driving capability, since the resistance value of thelow-resistance state increases, the retention characteristics of theresistance value is the key factor of a low-current operation. In thememory component 1 of the present embodiment, as described above, thedata retention performance is improved, and data retention of a higherresistance value is possible. Therefore, a low-current nonvolatilememory operation is possible.

In addition, in the present embodiment, as described above, the ionsource layer 21 preferably contains Zr, Cu, Ge, and the like in additionto Al. The reason thereof will be described below.

When Zr is contained in the ion source layer 21, particularly when Zr ispresent together with Al and Cu, an amorphous structure is easilystabilized. Even when ions of Al and Cu are moved from the ion sourcelayer 21, for example, at the time of the write operation, it is easy tomaintain an amorphous structure and the matrix structure of the ionsource layer 21 is maintained. For example, the ions of Al and Cu aremoved by a write bias, whereby the composition of the ion source layer21 is changed, and the composition ratio of these elements decreases.However, since the amorphous structure is maintained stably due to thepresence of Zr even when the composition ratio changes, it is possibleto suppress an unnecessary movement or diffusion of ions. Thus, thewritten state retention performance is improved.

With regard to the retention of the high-resistance state at the time oferasure, in a state where the conduction path in which Al or Cu is in ametallic state or a state close thereto is oxidized to form an oxide ora compound with a chalcogen element such as S, Se, and Te, when theconduction path contains Zr, and the ion source layer 21 has a stableamorphous structure, an unnecessary ion diffusion is suppressed.Therefore, it is unlikely that unnecessary ions are diffused again fromthe ion source layer 21 due to heat or the like in a retention statewhere no erasure voltage bias is applied. It is also unlikely that theoxide or chalcogenide in the high-resistance state is reduced again torealize a low-resistance state. Thus, the high-resistance state ismaintained even when the data is held over an extended period or ahigh-temperature state higher than the room temperature.

In addition, since the ion source layer 21 contains Al, when a negativevoltage is applied to the memory component 1 during the erase operationso that the upper electrode 30 is on the negative potential side and thelower electrode 10 is on the positive potential side, for example, thesecond layer 22B containing an aluminum oxide as its main component isformed on the first layer 22A through the oxidation reaction of the Alions, whereby the high-resistance state (erased state) is stabilized. Inaddition, the element Al contributes to an increase of the allowablenumber of repeated operations from the perspective of self-reproductionof the second layer 22B. In addition to Al, other elements such as Gehaving the same function may be contained.

Given the above, when Zr, Al, Cu, Ge, and the like are contained in theion source layer 21, a wide-range resistance value retentionperformance, a high-speed write/erase operation performance are improvedand the allowable number of repeated operations is increased as comparedto the memory component of the related art. In addition, by adjusting anerasure voltage at the time of changing the resistance state from thelow-resistance state to the high-resistance state to create anintermediate state between the high-resistance state and thelow-resistance state, it is possible to retain the intermediate statestably. Therefore, it is possible to realize a multi-valued memory aswell as a two-valued memory.

Meanwhile, the important characteristics related to the memoryoperation, including the characteristics of the write/erase operation ofapplying such a voltage and the resistance value retentioncharacteristics, and the allowable number of repeated operations variesdepending on the composition ratio of Zr, Cu, Al, and Ge.

For example, if the content of Zr is too large, the resistance value ofthe ion source layer 21 decreases too much, and it is unable to apply aneffective voltage to the ion source layer 21. Thus, particularly, it isdifficult to perform the erase operation, and the erasure thresholdvoltage increases with the composition ratio of Zr. Furthermore, if thecontent of Zr increases further, it is difficult to perform the writeoperation (that is, realize the low-resistance state). On the otherhand, if the composition ratio of Zr is too small, the effect ofimproving the wide-range resistance value retention characteristics asdescribed above decreases. Therefore, the composition ratio of Zr in theion source layer 21 is preferably 7.5 at or more, and more preferably 26at or smaller.

When an appropriate amount of Cu is added in the ion source layer 21,the element Cu accelerates making the ion source layer 21 amorphous.However, if the content of Cu is too large, since Cu in the metallicstate is not sufficiently stable in the ion source layer 21 containingthe chalcogen element, the element Cu may deteriorate the written dataretention characteristics and have an adverse effect on a high-speedwrite operation. On the other hand, a combination of Zr and Cu has aneffect of making it easy to form an amorphous structure and maintaininga uniform micro-structure of the ion source layer 21. In this way, sincethe material components in the ion source layer 21 are prevented frombecoming nonuniform by the repeated operation, the allowable number ofrepeated operations increases and the data retention characteristics arealso improved. When a sufficient amount of Zr is contained within theabove-mentioned range, since the amorphous structure is stable, thewritten data retention characteristics are not affected.

Moreover, if the content of Al is too large, the Al ions can easilymove, and the written state is easily realized by the reduction of theAl ions. Since Al in the metallic state has a low stability in the solidchalcogenide electrolyte, the retention performance of the written statewhich is the low-resistance state decreases. On the other hand, if thecomposition ratio of Al is too small, the effect of improving the eraseoperation itself and the data retention characteristics in thehigh-resistance state decreases, and the allowable number of repeatedoperation decreases. Therefore, the composition ratio of Al ispreferably 30 at or more, and more preferably 50 at or smaller.

Although Ge may be not necessarily contained, since the written dataretention characteristics deteriorate when the content of Ge is toolarge, the composition ratio of Ge is preferably 15 at or smaller.

Although Si may be not necessarily contained, the effect of preventing afilm detachment of the memory layer 20 is not obtained if thecomposition ratio thereof is too small, and favorable memory operationcharacteristics is not obtained if the composition ratio thereof is toolarger. Therefore, the composition ratio of Si in the ion source layer21 is preferably in the range of about 10 to 45 at %.

Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing the memory component 1 of thepresent embodiment will be described.

First, the plug of the lower electrode 10, for example, made of atitanium nitride (TiN) is formed on a substrate on which a CMOS circuitof a select transistor or the like is formed.

After that, a transition metal material film made of at least onetransition metal selected from the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, V,Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and W, or a nitride thereof is formed on the uppersurface of the lower electrode 10, and the transition metal materialfilm and at least the transition metal material film on the surface ofthe lower electrode 10 are oxidized, whereby the first layer 22A isformed.

Specifically, a Ti film is formed to a thickness of 1.0 nm on the uppersurface of the lower electrode 10, for example, made of TiN as atransition metal material film by a sputtering method, for example.Subsequently, by oxidizing the Ti film with oxygen plasma, the firstlayer 22A made of TiOx is formed. At that time, since the thickness ofTi film is very small, there is a possibility that oxidation of thesurface of the lower electrode 10 also progresses following theoxidation of the Ti film.

Alternatively, a zirconium nitride (ZrN) film may be formed on the uppersurface of the lower electrode 10, for example, made of TiN as thetransition metal material film, and the ZrN film may be oxidized. Atthat time, sine the thickness of the ZrN film is very small, the Zr filmis oxidized to produce a zirconium oxide (ZrOx), and the surface of thelower electrode 10 is also oxidized to form TiOx. Therefore, as shown inFIG. 2, for example, the first layer 22A made up of a ZrOx layer 22A1and a TiOx layer 22A2 is formed. In this case, it is important that theZrN film is sufficiently oxidized, and as a consequence, the TiOx isformed.

After that, the intermediate layer 21A made of Te is formed to athickness of 4 nm by a sputtering method, for example. Subsequently, theion supply layer 21B made of CuZrTeAlGe (Cu 11 at %-Zr 11%-Te 30%-Al40%-Ge 8%) is formed to a thickness of 60 nm. In this way, the ionsource layer 21 having a two-layered structure of the intermediate layer21A and the ion supply layer 21B is formed. At that time, in the memorylayer 20, Al contained in the ion supply layer 21B is diffused into theintermediate layer 21A to combine with surplus oxygen in the first layer22A made of TiOx or oxygen entering into the other films, whereby thesecond layer 22B made of AlOx is formed on the first layer 22A.

The second layer 22B made of AlOx may be formed by forming an Al filmserving as a source after forming the first layer 22A and oxidizing theAl film. However, as described above, by including the Al elementserving as a source of the second layer 22B in the ion supply layer 21B,it is possible to easily form the memory layer 20 including the secondlayer 22B without introducing a deposition process of the second layer22B. The thickness of the second layer 22B can be controlled bycontrolling the plasma oxidation conditions (O₂ atmosphere pressure andinput power) of TiOx that constitutes the first layer 22A.

After the ion source layer 21 and the resistance variable layer 22 areformed, the upper electrode 30, for example, made of W is formed on theion source layer 21. By doing so, a laminated film of the lowerelectrode 10, the memory layer 20, and the upper electrode 30 is formed.

After the laminated film is formed, the resistance variable layer 22,the ion source layer 21, and the upper electrode 30 in the laminatedfilm are patterned by plasma etching or the like. Besides the plasmaetching, the patterning may be performed using other etching methodssuch as ion milling or RIE (Reactive Ion Etching). Moreover, etching isperformed on the surface of the upper electrode 30 so as to expose acontact portion of the upper electrode 30 for connecting to an externalcircuit that applies an intermediate potential (Vdd/2).

After the laminated film is patterned, a wiring layer (not shown), forexample, made of Al is formed to a thickness of 200 nm, and the wiringlayer is connected to the contact portion of the upper electrode 30.After that, the laminated film is subjected to heat treatment at atemperature of 300° C. for 2 hours in a vacuum heat treatment furnace,for example. In this way, the memory component 1 shown in FIG. 1 ismanufactured.

In the manufacturing method described above, after the Ti film is formedin the step of forming the first layer 22A, the Ti film is oxidized withoxygen plasma, whereby the first layer 22A made of TiOx is formed.However, the first layer 22A may be formed by removing a natural oxidefilm formed on the surface of the lower electrode 10, for example, madeof TiN or a film originating from the cleaning step during the formingof the lower electrode 10 by reverse sputtering, milling, or the likeand then subjecting the surface of the lower electrode 10 to plasmaoxidation.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the resistance variablelayer 21 has a configuration in which the first layer 22A made of thetransition metal oxide and the second layer 22B containing the aluminumoxide as its main component are laminated in that order from the side ofthe lower electrode 10. Therefore, it is possible to prevent anunnecessary oxidation reaction between the lower electrode 10 and thechalcogen element contained in the ion source layer 21 from occurring inresponse to repeated write and erase operations, increase the repetitiondurability, and improve the lifespan of a memory. Accordingly, it ispossible to decrease a variation in the resistance value of the erasedstate and to obtain favorable characteristics having a sufficientlylarge resistance separation width in a multi-bit memory array.

Moreover, since the ion source layer 21 has the two-layered structure ofthe intermediate layer 21A and the ion supply layer 21B, it is possibleto improve the data retention characteristics while maintainingfavorable repetition durability and allow a low-current nonvolatilememory operation. Therefore, even when the current driving capability ofthe transistor is decreased with miniaturization, it is possible toretain information and realize a high-density and small memory device.

Furthermore, since the ion source layer 21 contains Zr, Al, Cu, Ge, andthe like, the data retention characteristics are excellent. In addition,any of the lower electrode 10, the resistance variable layer 22, the ionsource layer 21, and the upper electrode 30 can be made of materialswhich allow for sputtering, and the manufacturing process is simplified.That is, sputtering may be sequentially performed using a target made ofa composition suitable for the materials of the respective layers.Moreover, deposition may be performed continuously by changing thetarget in the same sputtering apparatus.

Modification 1

In the embodiment described above, a case where the resistance variablelayer 22 has a configuration in which the first layer 22A made of thetransition metal oxide and the second layer 22B containing the aluminumoxide as its main component are laminated in that order from the side ofthe lower electrode 10 has been described. However, the resistancevariable layer 22 may have a single-layered structure in which thealuminum oxide and the transition metal oxide are contained in a mixedstate as shown in FIG. 3.

In this case, when a positive voltage is applied to the memory component1 so that the upper electrode 30 is on the positive potential side andthe lower electrode 10 is on the negative potential side, for example,in the ion source layer 21, the Al ions and the ions of the metalelement contained in the ion source layer 21 are moved towards the lowerelectrode 10 side. In this case, on the lower electrode 10, a conductionpath is formed by the reduction reaction of the aluminum oxide or theions of the metal element, whereby a low-resistance state (writtenstate) is realized. When a negative voltage is applied to the memorycomponent 1 in the low-resistance state so that the upper electrode 30is on the negative potential side and the lower electrode 10 is on thepositive potential side, for example, in the ion source layer 21, the Alions and the ions of the metal element contained in the ion source layer21 are moved towards the upper electrode 30 side. In this case, on thelower electrode 10, the Al ions form an aluminum oxide through anoxidation reaction, or the metal element in the reduced state is ionizedby an oxidation reaction to be dissolved into the ion source layer 21,whereby the conduction path is destroyed and the high-resistance state(erased state) is realized.

In this example, since the resistance variable layer 22 contains thealuminum oxide and the transition metal oxide having a lower resistancethan the aluminum oxide in the mixed state, even when theabove-mentioned positive voltage is applied to the memory component, itis difficult for the voltage bias to be applied to the transition metaloxide. Therefore, even when the memory component is in the written state(low-resistance state), the transition metal oxide is not reduced butforms an oxide film on the lower electrode 10. Accordingly, it ispossible to prevent an unnecessary oxidation reaction between the lowerelectrode 10 and the chalcogen element contained in the ion source layer21 from occurring in response to repeated write and erase operations.

Modification 2

In the embodiment described above, a case where the ion source layer 21has the two-layered structure of the intermediate layer 21A and the ionsupply layer 21B has been described. However, the ion source layer 21does not necessarily have the intermediate layer 21A but may have asingle-layered structure of only the ion supply layer 21B as shown inFIG. 4.

Modification 3

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the resistance variable layer 22 may bea single layer in which the aluminum oxide and the transition metaloxide are contained in the mixed state, and the ion source layer 21 maybe a single layer of only the ion supply layer 21B.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 6 shows the cross-sectional configuration of the memory component 1according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The memorycomponent 1 has the same configuration, operation, and effect as thefirst embodiment, except that the first layer 22A of the resistancevariable layer 22 is made of a transition metal oxynitride, and thememory component 1 can be manufactured similarly to the firstembodiment. Therefore, corresponding constituent elements will bedenoted by the same reference numerals.

The transition metal oxide constituting the first layer 22A ispreferably an oxynitride having conductive properties and one which doesnot have high insulation properties. Specifically, the transition metaloxide is preferably an oxide of at least one transition metal selectedfrom the group consisting of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, and W.

Since the first layer 22A made of the transition metal oxynitridecontains nitrogen (N) and does not contain surplus oxygen (O), theresistance thereof is low. Moreover, as described in the firstembodiment, the second layer 22B made of the aluminum oxide is formedwhen Al contained in the ion supply layer 21B is diffused into theintermediate layer 21A to combine with surplus oxygen in the first layer22A or oxygen entering into the other recording films. Therefore, sinceno surplus oxygen is contained in the first layer 22A, the generation ofthe aluminum oxide is suppressed, and the thickness of the second layer22B decreases. Due to these facts, the partial pressure applied to thefirst layer 22A and the second layer 22B decreases, and the voltageapplied to the ion supply layer 21B and the intermediate layer 21Aincreases, whereby ions can easily move and diffuse. Therefore, it ispossible to decrease the threshold voltage, and the memory component 1can be suitably used for a low-current operation. The operation currentcan be controlled by the amount of nitrogen contained in the first layer22A.

Modifications 1 to 3 are also applicable to the second embodiment. Thatis, as shown in FIG. 3, the resistance variable layer 22 may have asingle-layered structure in which the aluminum oxide and the transitionmetal oxynitride are contained in the mixed state. Moreover, the ionsource layer 21 does not necessarily have the intermediate layer 21A butmay have a single-layered structure of only the ion supply layer 21B asshown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the resistancevariable layer 22 may be a single layer in which the aluminum oxide andthe transition metal oxynitride are contained in the mixed state, andthe ion source layer 21 may be a single layer of only the ion supplylayer 21B.

Modification 4

The first embodiment has been described for the case where the firstlayer 22A is made of the transition metal oxide, and the secondembodiment has been described for the case where the first layer 22A ismade of the transition metal oxynitride. However, as shown in FIG. 7,the first layer 22A may contain both a transition metal oxide layer 22A3and a transition metal oxynitride layer 22A4.

That is, for example, similarly to the first embodiment, when the Tifilm is formed on the upper surface of the lower electrode 10, forexample, made of TiN as the transition metal material film, and the Tifilm is oxidized with oxygen plasma, the transition metal oxide layer22A3 made of TiOx is formed through the oxidation of the Ti film and/orthe surface of the lower electrode 10. Since oxidation of TiN is notcompletely finished, there is a possibility that the transition metaloxynitride layer 22A4 made of a titanium oxynitride (TiON) is formedunder the transition metal oxide layer 22A3. The same applies to a casewhere the surface of the lower electrode 10 made of TiN is directlysubjected to plasma oxidation.

Moreover, when a ZrN film is formed on the upper surface of the lowerelectrode 10, for example, made of TiN as the transition metal materialfilm and the ZrN film is oxidized, there is possibility that as shown inFIG. 8, a transition metal oxide layer 22A3 made of ZrOx formed by theoxidation of the ZrN film, a transition metal oxynitride layer 22A4 madeof an oxynitride (ZrON) of zirconium produced due to uncompletedoxidation of ZrN, a transition metal oxynitride layer 22A3 made of TiOxformed by the oxidation of the surface of the lower electrode 10, and atransition metal oxynitride layer 22A4 made of TiON produced due touncompleted oxidation of TiN are formed in that order. Since thethickness of the ZrN film is very small, there is a possibility that thetransition metal oxynitride layer 22A4 made of ZrON is not formed.

Modifications 1 to 3 are also applicable to Modification 4. That is, asshown in FIG. 3, the resistance variable layer 22 may have asingle-layered structure in which the aluminum oxide, the transitionmetal oxide, and the transition metal oxynitride are contained in themixed state. Moreover, the ion source layer 21 does not necessarily havethe intermediate layer 21A but may have a single-layered structure ofonly the ion supply layer 21B as shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, as shownin FIG. 5, the resistance variable layer 22 may be a single layer inwhich the aluminum oxide, the transition metal oxide, and the transitionmetal oxynitride are contained in the mixed state, and the ion sourcelayer 21 may be a single layer of only the ion supply layer 21B.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 9 shows the cross-sectional configuration of the memory component 1according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The memorycomponent 1 has the same configuration, operation, and effect as thefirst or second embodiment, except that a transition metal such as Zr isadded in the intermediate layer 21A of the ion source layer 21, and thememory component 1 can be manufactured similarly to the first or secondembodiment. Therefore, corresponding constituent elements will bedenoted by the same reference numerals.

Since the intermediate layer 21A contains Zr, for example, as anadditive element, the intermediate layer 21A has a higher resistancethan the ion supply layer 21B. Therefore, a voltage can be easilyapplied to the intermediate layer 21A, and the memory component 1 caneasily operate at a low current. Moreover, when a voltage is applied tothe memory component 1, ions can move more effectively, and reliablewrite and erase operations are possible. Therefore, operation errors arereduced, and a resistance variation is improved.

FIG. 10 shows the calculation result of a volume resistivity obtained bymeasuring a sheet resistance of a film in which Zr is doped to a singlesubstance of Te. As can be understood from FIG. 10, the resistivity ofthe Te—Zr film increases as the Zr content increases from 0% (pure Te),reaches the maximum value at the content of about 7%, and decreases atthe higher content. From this, it can be understood that the resistivityof the intermediate layer 21A can be increased by adding several % of Zrin the intermediate layer 21A.

In addition to Zr, other transition metals such as Cu, Cr, Mn, Ti, or Hfhave the effect of increasing the resistance of the intermediate layer21A similarly to Zr. That is, the intermediate layer 21A preferablycontains Al and a chalcogen element and also contain at least onetransition metal selected from the group consisting of Zr, Cu, Cr, Mn,Ti, and Hf.

As described above, in the present embodiment, since the intermediatelayer 21A contains at least one transition metal selected from the groupconsisting of Zr, Cu, Cr, Mn, Ti, and Hf so that the resistance of theintermediate layer 21A is higher than the ion supply layer 21B, it ispossible to accelerate an ion movement at the time of the write anderase operations, stabilize the memory operation, and improve theresistance distribution of the written and erased states.

Modification 1, the second embodiment, and Modification 4 are alsoapplicable to the present embodiment. That is, the resistance variablelayer 22 may have a single-layered structure in which the aluminumoxide, the transition metal oxide, and the transition metal oxynitrideare contained in the mixed state.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 11 shows the cross-sectional configuration of the memory component1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The memorycomponent 1 has the same configuration, operation, and effect as thefirst to third embodiments, except that oxygen (O) is added in at leastone of the intermediate layer 21A and the ion supply layer 21B of theion source layer 21, and the memory component 1 can be manufacturedsimilarly to the first to third embodiments. Therefore, correspondingconstituent elements will be denoted by the same reference numerals.

Since the ion supply layer 21B contains oxygen (O) as an additiveelement, the resistivity of the ion supply layer 21B increases.Therefore, at the time of the write operation, the partial pressureapplied to the metal ions in the ion supply layer 21B increases, themetal ions can move more easily, and the conduction path can be formedmore stably. Therefore, the written data retention characteristics areimproved. The resistivity of the ion supply layer 21B can be controlledby the oxygen (O₂) flow rate during the deposition, and the resistivityof the ion supply layer 21B increases as the amount of introduced oxygen(O₂) increases.

On the other hand, since the intermediate layer 21A contains oxygen (O)as an additive element, the resistivity of the intermediate layer 21Aincreases. Therefore, at the time of the erase operation, the voltageapplied to the intermediate layer 21A increases, and the metal ions caneasily return to the ion supply layer 21B. In addition to this, areaction in which the metal element of the conduction path is ionized tobe dissolved into the ion source layer 21 or combined with tellurium(Te) or the like, thus realizing a higher resistance state, is likely toproceed. Therefore, the erasure characteristics are improved.

From the above, since both the intermediate layer 21A and the ion supplylayer 21B contain oxygen (O) as the additive element, both the writtendata retention characteristics and the erasure characteristics areimproved, thus providing more favorable characteristics than the relatedart where the write and erasure characteristics are in a tradeoffrelationship. Thus, the resistance separation width in the multi-bitmemory array can be improved further.

FIG. 12 shows the calculation result of a volume resistivity obtained bymeasuring a sheet resistor in which Zr is doped to a single substance ofTe when the oxygen (O₂) flow rate during the deposition was 0 cc and 5cc. In FIG. 12, the deposition conditions such as power and depositiontime were fixed. As can be understood from FIG. 12, the resistivity ofTe—Zr film when the oxygen (O₂) flow rate during the deposition was 5 ccis higher than that when the flow rate was 0 cc. From this, it can beunderstood that the resistivity of the intermediate layer 21A can beincreased to an appropriate value by adding both Zr and oxygen (O) inthe intermediate layer 21A.

When other transition metals such as Cu, Ti, or Hf in addition to Zr areadded together with oxygen (O), the effect of appropriately increasingthe resistance of the intermediate layer 21A can be obtained similarlyto Zr. That is, the intermediate layer 21A preferably contains Al and achalcogen element and also contain oxygen (O) and at least onetransition metal selected from the group consisting of Cu, Ti, Zr, andHf.

Moreover, in FIG. 12, even when the Zr content is 0% (pure Te), a higherresistance is obtained when the oxygen (O₂) flow rate during thedeposition was 5 cc than when the flow rate was 0 cc. Therefore, it canbe understood that the resistance of the intermediate layer 21A can beincreased by adding only oxygen (O) in the intermediate layer 21Awithout adding a transition element. In that case, the intermediatelayer 21A preferably contain Al and chalcogen element and also containoxygen (O) as an additive element.

In any of the above-mentioned cases, the intermediate layer 21Apreferably have a higher resistance than the ion supply layer 21B. Inthis way, a voltage can be easily applied to the intermediate layer 21A,and the memory component 1 can easily operate at a low current.Moreover, when a voltage is applied to the memory component 1, ions canmove more effectively, and reliable write and erase operations arepossible. Therefore, operation errors are reduced, and a resistancevariation is improved.

Given the above, in the present embodiment, oxygen (O) is added in atleast one of the intermediate layer 21A and the ion supply layer 21B ofthe ion source layer 21 so as to increase the resistivity thereof.Therefore, it is possible to improve the written data retentioncharacteristics by the effect of oxygen added in the ion supply layer21B or improve the erasure characteristics by the effect of oxygen addedin the intermediate layer 21A. Thus, the resistance separation width inthe multi-bit memory array can be improved.

Modification 1, the second embodiment, and Modification 4 are alsoapplicable to the present embodiment. That is, the resistance variablelayer 22 may have a single-layered structure in which the aluminumoxide, the transition metal oxide, and the transition metal oxynitrideare contained in the mixed state.

(Memory Device)

A memory device (memory) can be configured by arranging a number of thememory components 1 in an array form or a matrix form, for example. Atthat time, an element selection MOS transistor or a diode may beconnected to the respective memory components 1 as necessary toconfigure a memory cell, and the memory cell may be connected to asensing amplifier, an address decoder, a write/erase/read circuit, andthe like through a wiring.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show an example of a memory device (memory cell array 2)in which a number of memory components 1 are arranged in a matrix form,in which FIG. 13 shows the cross-sectional configuration, and FIG. 14shows the planar configuration, respectively. In the memory cell array2, wirings connected to the lower electrode 10 of each of the memorycomponents 1 and wirings connected to the upper electrode 30 areprovided so as to intersect each other, and the respective memorycomponents 1 are disposed near the intersections of these wirings, forexample.

The memory components 1 share the respective layers of the resistancevariable layer 22, the ion source layer 21, and the upper electrode 30.That is, each of the resistance variable layer 22, the ion source layer21, and the upper electrode 30 is configured by a common layer (the samelayer) that is common to the respective memory components 1. The upperelectrode 30 serves as a common electrode that is common to adjacentcells.

On the other hand, the lower electrode 10 is provided individually foreach memory cell so as to be electrically separated between adjacentcells, the memory components 1 of the respective memory cells aredefined at positions corresponding to the respective lower electrodes10. The lower electrodes 10 are connected to the correspondingcell-selection MOS transistors Tr, and the respective memory components1 are provided above the MOS transistors Tr.

The MOS transistor Tr includes a source/drain region 43 and a gateelectrode 44. The source/drain region is formed in a region that isisolated by a component isolation layer 42 in a semiconductor substrate41. A sidewall insulating layer is formed on the wall surface of thegate electrode 44. The gate electrode 44 also serves as a word line WLwhich is one address wiring of the memory component 1. One region of thesource/drain region 43 of the MOS transistor Tr and the lower electrode10 of the memory component 1 are electrically connected by a plug layer45, a metal wiring layer 46, and a plug layer 47. The other region ofthe source/drain region 43 of the MOS transistor Tr is connected to themetal wiring layer 46 by the plug layer 45. The metal wiring layer 46 isconnected to a bit line BL (see FIG. 14) which is the other addresswiring of the memory component 1. In FIG. 14, an active region 48 of theMOS transistor Tr is depicted by a chain line, and a contact portion 51is connected to the lower electrode 10 of the memory component 1, and acontact portion 52 is connected to the bit line BL.

In the memory cell array 2, when a voltage is applied to the bit line BLthrough the word line WL in a state where the gate of the MOS transistorTr is in the on state, the voltage is applied to the lower electrode 10of the selected memory cell through the source/drain of the MOStransistor Tr. Here, when the polarity of the voltage applied to thelower electrode 10 is a negative potential compared to the potential ofthe upper electrode 30 (common electrode), as described above, theresistance value of the memory component 1 transitions to thelow-resistance state. In this way, information is written to theselected memory cell. Subsequently, when a voltage of the positivepotential as compared to the potential of the upper electrode 30 (commonelectrode) is applied to the lower electrode 10, the resistance value ofthe memory component 1 transitions again to the high-resistance state.In this way, the information written to the selected memory cell iserased. In order to read the written information, a memory cell isselected by the MOS transistor Tr, and a predetermined voltage orcurrent is applied to the selected cell. A current or voltage which isdifferent in accordance with the resistance state of the memorycomponent 1 is detected using a sense amplifier or the like which isconnected in front of the bit line BL or the upper electrode 30 (commonelectrode). The voltage or current applied to the selected memory cellis controlled so as to be smaller than the threshold voltage at whichthe resistance state of the memory component 1 transitions.

The memory device of the present embodiment can be applied to variousmemory devices as mentioned above. For example, the memory device can beapplied to any form of memory, such as a once-writable PROM(Programmable Read Only Memory), electrically erasable EEPROM (ErasableProgrammable Read Only Memory), or a so-called RAM in which informationcan be written, erased, and read at a high speed.

EXAMPLES

Hereinafter, specific examples of the present invention will bedescribed.

Example 1

A memory cell array having the memory component 1 was manufacturedsimilarly to the first embodiment. First, a Ti film was formed to athickness of 1 nm on a CMOS circuit, on which the plug of the lowerelectrode 10 made of TiN is formed, by sputtering. After that, the Tifilm was oxidized by plasma oxidation, whereby the first layer 22A madeof TiOx was formed.

Subsequently, the intermediate layer 21A made of Te was formed to athickness of 4 nm, and then, the ion supply layer 21B made of CuZrTeAlGe(Cu 11 at %-Zr 11 at %-Te 30 at %-Al 40 at %-Ge 8 at %) was formed to athickness of 60 nm. After that, the upper electrode 30 made of W wasformed to a thickness of 50 nm. The process of this example can besummarized as follows.TiN/Ti(1 nm)/plasma oxidation/Te(4 nm)/CuZrTeAlGe(60 nm)/W(50 nm)

After the laminated film of the lower electrode 10, the memory layer 20,and the upper electrode 30 was formed, the laminated film was patternedso that the resistance variable layer 22, the ion source layer 21, andthe upper electrode 30 was left in a memory cell array portion.Moreover, etching was performed on the surface of the upper electrode 30so as to expose the contact portion of the upper electrode 30 forconnecting to an external circuit that applies an intermediate potential(Vdd/2).

After the laminated film was patterned, a wiring layer (not shown), forexample, made of Al was formed to a thickness of 200 nm, and the wiringlayer was connected to the contact portion of the upper electrode 30.After that, the laminated film was subjected to heat treatment at atemperature of 300° C. for 2 hours in a vacuum heat treatment furnace.In this way, a memory cell array having the memory component 1 shown inFIG. 1 was manufactured.

The repeated rewriting characteristics were examined for the obtainedmemory cell array of Example 1. During the examination, a pulse having avoltage Vw of 3 V, a current of about 100 μA, and a pulse width of 10 nswas used as a write pulse, a pulse having a voltage Ve of 2 V, a currentof about 100 μA, and a pulse width of 10 nm was used as an erase pulse,and the rewrite operation was repeated 10⁵ times or more using thepulses. The results of the examination are shown in FIG. 15B. Moreover,the same repeated rewriting characteristics were examined when thecurrent was 50 μA. The results of the examination are shown in FIG. 15C.

As can be understood from FIGS. 15B and 15C, a favorable memoryoperation wherein the resistance values of the low-resistance state andthe high-resistance state are different in the order of one digit ormore was obtained.

Subsequently, the cumulative frequency distribution after 1000repetitions with a 4-kbit memory cell array and the cumulative frequencydistribution after an accelerated data retention test at a temperatureof 130° C. for 2 hours were examined. The results of the examination areshown in FIG. 15A.

As can be understood from FIG. 15A, the written state (low-resistancestate) and the erased state (high-resistance state) are separated,favorable variation characteristics were obtained, and favorableresistance separation characteristics were obtained even after theaccelerated data retention test.

Example 2

A natural oxide film formed on the lower electrode 10 was sufficientlyremoved, by reverse sputtering, from a CMOS circuit on which the plug ofthe lower electrode 10 made of TiN is formed. After that, the lowerelectrode 10 was directly subjected to plasma oxidation, whereby thefirst layer 22A made of TiOx was formed. Except for the above, a memorycell array having the memory component 1 was manufactured similarly toExample 1. The process of Example 2 can be summarized as follows.TiN/plasma oxidation/Te(4 nm)/CuZrTeAlGe(60 nm)/W(50 nm)

Example 3

A natural oxide film formed on the lower electrode 10 was sufficientlyremoved, by reverse sputtering, from a CMOS circuit on which the plug ofthe lower electrode 10 made of W is formed. After that, the lowerelectrode 10 was directly subjected to plasma oxidation, whereby thefirst layer 22A made of a tungsten oxide (WOx) was formed. Except forthe above, a memory cell array having the memory component 1 wasmanufactured similarly to Example 1. The process of Example 3 can besummarized as follows.W/plasma oxidation/Te(4 nm)/CuZrTeAlGe(60 nm)/W(50 nm)

Comparative Example 1

A gadolinium (Gd) film was formed to a thickness of 1 nm on a CMOScircuit, on which the plug of the lower electrode made of TiN is formed,by sputtering. The Gd film was oxidized with plasma oxidation, whereby agadolinium oxide (GdOx) film was formed. After that, the ion sourcelayer made of CuZrTeAlGe (Cu 11 at %-Zr 11 at %-Te 30 at %-Al 40 at %-Ge8 at %) was formed to a thickness of 60 nm, and the upper electrode madeof W was formed to a thickness of 50 nm. Except for the above, a memorycell array having the memory component was manufactured similarly toExample 1. The process of Comparative Example 1 can be summarized asfollows.TiN/Gd(1 nm)/plasma oxidation/CuZrTeAlGe(60 nm)/W(50 nm)

Comparative Example 2

A Gd film was formed to a thickness of 1 nm on a CMOS circuit, on whichthe plug of the lower electrode made of TiN is formed, by sputtering.The Gd film was oxidized with plasma oxidation, whereby a GdOx film wasformed. Subsequently, the intermediate layer made of Te was formed to athickness of 4 nm, and the ion supply layer made of CuZrTeAlGe (Cu 11 at%-Zr 11 at %-Te 30 at %-Al 40 at %-Ge 8 at %) was formed to a thicknessof 60 nm. After that, the upper electrode made of W was formed to athickness of 50 nm. Except for the above, a memory cell array having thememory component was manufactured similarly to Example 1. The process ofComparative Example 2 can be summarized as follows.TiN/Gd(1 nm)/plasma oxidation/Te(4 nm)/CuZrTeAlGe(60 nm)/W(50 nm)

Comparative Example 3

An intermediate layer made of Te was formed to a thickness of 4 nm on aCMOS circuit, on which the plug of the lower electrode made of TiN isformed, by sputtering. Subsequently, the ion supply layer made ofCuZrTeAlGe (Cu 11 at %-Zr 11 at %-Te 30 at %-Al 40 at %-Ge 8 at %) wasformed to a thickness of 60 nm, and the upper electrode made of W wasformed to a thickness of 50 nm. Except for the above, a memory cellarray having the memory component was manufactured similarly toExample 1. The process of Comparative Example 3 can be summarized asfollows.TiN/Te(4 nm)/CuZrTeAlGe(60 nm)/W(50 nm)

Similarly to Example 1, the cumulative frequency distribution for 4 kbitdata after 1000 repetitions and/or the repetition characteristics withthe current of 100 μA and 50 μA were examined for the obtained memorycell arrays of Examples 2 and 3 and Comparative Examples 1, 2, and 3.The cumulative frequency distribution for Example 2 is shown in FIG.16A, and the repetition characteristics for Example 2 are shown in FIGS.16B and 16C. The repetition characteristics for Example 3 are shown inFIGS. 17A and 17B. The cumulative frequency distribution for ComparativeExample 1 is shown in FIG. 18A, and the repetition characteristics forComparative Example 1 are shown in FIGS. 18B and 18C. The repetitioncharacteristics for Comparative Example 2 are shown in FIGS. 19A and19B. The cumulative frequency distribution for Comparative Example 3 isshown in FIG. 20A, and the repetition characteristics for ComparativeExample 3 are shown in FIGS. 20B and 20C.

Examples 1 and 2 and Comparative Example 3 Presence of First Layer Madeof Transition Metal Oxide

As can be understood from FIGS. 15A to 15C, 16A to 16C, and 20A to 20C,both favorable resistance separation characteristics and repetitioncharacteristics were obtained with Examples 1 and 2 where the firstlayer 22A made of TiOx was formed on the lower electrode 10. Incontrast, in the case of Comparative Example 3 where the first layermade of the transition metal oxide was not provided, and theintermediate layer and the ion supply layer were directly formed on thelower electrode, the high-resistance state and the low-resistance statewere not separated favorably, and the repetition characteristics werepoor.

Although the reason thereof is not clear, FIGS. 21A and 21B show changesin the resistance; as a measurement example for evaluating the reason,when a voltage of 0 to 3 V was applied in the erasure direction to 60components in the low-resistance state in which a write operation wasperformed. As shown in FIG. 21B, many components in which the firstlayer made of the transition metal oxide was not formed havetransitioned to the low-resistance state in response to the erasurevoltage. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 21A, none of the components inwhich the first layer made of the transition metal oxide was formed havefailed to transition to the low-resistance state in response to theerasure voltage within the measurement range. This is considered to beattributable to the fact that the presence of the first layer made ofthe transition metal oxide on the lower electrode suppresses theoccurrence of an unnecessary change other than the high-resistance statesuch as the formation of the Al oxide film when the erasure voltage wasapplied. This may be considered to be attributable to the fact that thereaction of Te which is an anion of an electrolyte and the lowerelectrode is suppressed in this example.

In addition, structure analysis and EDX measurement using TEM(Transmission Electron Microscope) were conducted with respect to thememory component 1 of Example 2. The TEM-EDX images are shown in FIGS.22A to 22C, and the results of cross-sectional EDX line profiles areshown in FIG. 23 and FIGS. 24A to 24F. In the EDX measurement, EDXspectrums were acquired at respective points while scanning an electronbeam condensed to a diameter of about 1 nm on cross-sectional samples ina linear direction at intervals of 1 nm. The results of the EDX lineprofiles are the results obtained by plotting the integral intensity ofTe-Lα1 peak, Cu-Kα1 peak, O-Kα1 peak, Al-Kα1 peak, Zr-Kα1 peak, andTi-Kα1 peak. The integral intensity of the respective peaks are valuesincluding the background noise components.

As can be understood from FIG. 23 and FIGS. 24A to 24F, in the case ofExample 2, the peaks of Al and oxygen (O) were observed at the interfacebetween the first layer 22A and the intermediate layer 21A including Te.Thus, it can be understood that the second layer 22B made of an aluminumoxide (Al—O) is formed. The presence of the second layer 22B was alsoobserved from the TEM images in FIGS. 22A to 22C. Although not depictedin the figures, from the TEM images of Comparative Example 3 where thefirst layer made of the transition metal oxide was not formed on thelower electrode, it can be understood that the Al oxide layer is formedon the lower electrode. However, the repetition characteristics ofExample 2 and Comparative Example 3 are greatly different. That is, inthe case of Example 2, there was little deterioration in the repetitioncharacteristics even after one million or more repetitions of therewrite operation, and a further rewrite operation was possible.However, in the case of Comparative Example 3 where the first layer madeof the transition metal oxide was not formed, the repetitioncharacteristics deteriorated greatly after 10 repetitions.

That is, it can be understood that favorable resistance separationcharacteristics and favorable repetition characteristics were obtainedwhen the resistance variable layer 22 had a configuration in which thefirst layer 22A made of the transition metal oxide and the second layer22B containing the aluminum oxide as its main component are laminated inthat order from the side of the lower electrode 10.

Example 3 and Comparative Example 2 Other Materials of First Layer Madeof Transition Metal Oxide

As can be understood from FIGS. 17A and 17B, in the case of Example 3 inwhich the first layer 22A made of WOx was provided, favorable resistanceseparation characteristics and favorable repetition characteristics wereobtained similarly to Examples 1 and 2.

In contrast, as can be understood from FIGS. 19A and 19B, in the case ofComparative Example 2 where the GdOx film was formed as the resistancevariable layer, the initial resistance value was too high, and it wasdifficult to perform the write operation (realize the low-resistancestate). Thus, it was difficult to repeat the write operation.

That is, it was understood that, even when the first layer 22A is madeof WOx instead of TiOx, favorable resistance separation characteristicsand favorable repetition characteristics can be obtained.

Examples 1 to 3 and Comparative Example 1 Difference in Low-CurrentRepetition Characteristics Depending on Presence of Intermediate Layer

As can be understood from FIGS. 18B and 18C, in the case of ComparativeExample 1 where the resistance variable layer made of GdOx was formed onthe lower electrode but the intermediate layer was not provided, theresistance separation characteristics after repetition with the currentof 100 μA were relatively favorable. However, the repetitioncharacteristics with the current of 50 μA were inferior to Examples 1 to3 where the intermediate layer 21A was provided.

That is, it was understood that the repetition characteristics at alower current were improved when the ion source layer 21 had thetwo-layered structure of the intermediate layer 21A and the ion supplylayer 21B.

Example 2 Aluminum Concentration Distribution of Intermediate Layer andIon Supply Layer

In Example 2 described above, after the first layer 22A made of thetransition metal oxide was formed, the intermediate layer 21A made of Teand the ion supply layer 21B made of CuZrTeAlGe were formedsequentially. However, as can be understood from the TEM images in FIGS.22A to 22C and the results of the EDX line profiles in FIG. 23 and FIGS.24A to 24F, actually, after the deposition, Al is diffused from the ionsupply layer 21B into the intermediate layer 21A, and Al is also presentin the intermediate layer 21A. However, it can be understood from theTEM images that the ratio (Al concentration) of the Al content to thechalcogen element content in the intermediate layer 21A is lower thanthat in the ion supply layer 21B. The effect of this example isattributable to this. That is, it is necessary that abundant Te ispresent as anions in the intermediate layer 21A, and the Te ions do notdisturb the movement of Al ions at the time of the write and eraseoperation, particularly at the time of the erase operation. Moreover,since it is considered that the Al in the intermediate layer 21A isgenerated by a diffusion which is caused by a concentration gradientwith respect to the ion supply layer 21B, it is considered that the Alcontent is smaller than a stoichiometric composition of Al₂Te₃, forexample. Therefore, it is considered that most of the Al in theintermediate layer 21A is present in the ionic state. The appliedpotential is effectively used for driving the ions, whereby such animprovement in the characteristics is made possible.

That is, it was understood that the repetition characteristics at a lowcurrent can be improved when the Al concentration in the intermediatelayer 21A was smaller than the Al concentration in the ion supply layer21B.

Example 2 and Comparative Example 1 Difference in Data RetentionCharacteristics Depending on Presence of Intermediate Layer

As can be understood from FIGS. 16A and 18A, in the case of ComparativeExample 1 where the intermediate layer was not provided, the bits in thelow-resistance state were changed to the high-resistance state after theaccelerated data retention test after the repetition, and changes in theresistance distribution were observed. In contrast, in the case ofExample 2 where the intermediate layer was provided, no change in thedistribution of the low-resistance state was observed, and favorabledata retention characteristics were obtained. Although the reasonthereof is not clear, this is considered to be attributable to thefollowing fact. That is, in the case of Example 2, due to the presenceof the intermediate layer 21A in which the Al concentration is lowerthan the ion supply layer 21B, the Al ions are reduced by the reductionreaction at the time of the write operation to produce Al metal. Whenthe write voltage bias is removed, the Al metal does not become an Aloxide to increase the component resistance but is dissolved into theintermediate layer 21A capable of dissolving Al. Thus, there is noresistance increase.

That is, it was understood that the data retention characteristics canbe improved when the ion source layer 21 had the two-layered structureof the intermediate layer 21A and the ion supply layer 21B.

Example 4-1

A memory cell array was manufactured similarly to Example 1, except thatthe first layer 22A was formed by subjecting a Ta film to plasmaoxidation. The repeated rewriting characteristics and the resistanceseparation characteristics were examined for the obtained memory cellarray. The obtained results were equivalent to those obtained in Example1 as shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B.

Example 4-2

A memory cell array was manufactured similarly to Example 1, except thatthe first layer 22A was formed by subjecting a Zr film to plasmaoxidation. The repeated rewriting characteristics and the resistanceseparation characteristics were examined for the obtained memory cellarray. The obtained results were equivalent to those obtained in Example1 as shown in FIGS. 26A and 26B.

Example 5-1

A memory cell array was manufactured similarly to Example 1, except thatthe intermediate layer 21A was made of GeS and the ion supply layer 21Bwas made of CuZrTeAlGe. The repeated rewriting characteristics and theresistance separation characteristics were examined for the obtainedmemory cell array. The obtained results were equivalent to thoseobtained in Example 1 as shown in FIGS. 27A and 27B.

Example 5-2

A memory cell array was manufactured similarly to Example 1, except thatthe intermediate layer 21A was made of Te and the ion supply layer 21Bwas made of CuTiTeAl. The repeated rewriting characteristics and theresistance separation characteristics were examined for the obtainedmemory cell array. The obtained results were equivalent to thoseobtained in Example 1.

Example 6-1

A memory cell array was manufactured similarly to Example 2, except thatthe intermediate layer 21A was made of Te (thickness: 5 nm), the ionsupply layer 21B was made of Ag7Zr14Te36Al43 (thickness: 45 nm), and theupper electrode 30 was made of Zr (thickness: 50 nm). The repeatedrewriting characteristics and the resistance separation characteristicswere examined for the obtained memory cell array. The obtained resultswere equivalent to those obtained in Example 2 as shown in FIGS. 28A and28B.

Example 6-2

A memory cell array was manufactured similarly to Example 2, except thatthe intermediate layer 21A was made of Te (thickness: 5 nm), the ionsupply layer 21B was made of Ni13Zr13Te33Al40 (thickness: 45 nm), andthe upper electrode 30 was made of Zr (thickness: 50 nm). The repeatedrewriting characteristics and the resistance separation characteristicswere examined for the obtained memory cell array. The obtained resultswere equivalent to those obtained in Example 2 as shown in FIGS. 29A and29B.

Example 6-3

A memory cell array was manufactured similarly to Example 2, except thatthe intermediate layer 21A was made of Te (thickness: 5 nm), the ionsupply layer 21B was made of Co7Zr14Te36Al43 (thickness: 45 nm), and theupper electrode 30 was made of Zr (thickness: 50 nm). The repeatedrewriting characteristics and the resistance separation characteristicswere examined for the obtained memory cell array. The obtained resultswere equivalent to those obtained in Example 2 as shown in FIGS. 30A and30B.

Example 6-4

A memory cell array was manufactured similarly to Example 2, except thatthe intermediate layer 21A was made of Te (thickness: 5 nm), the ionsupply layer 21B was made of Mn13Zr13Te33Al40 (thickness: 45 nm), andthe upper electrode 30 was made of Zr (thickness: 50 nm). The repeatedrewriting characteristics and the resistance separation characteristicswere examined for the obtained memory cell array. The obtained resultswere equivalent to those obtained in Example 2 as shown in FIGS. 31A and31B.

Example 6-5

A memory cell array was manufactured similarly to Example 2, except thatthe intermediate layer 21A was made of Te (thickness: 5 nm), the ionsupply layer 21B was made of Fe10Zr16Te39Al35 (thickness: 45 nm), andthe upper electrode 30 was made of Zr (thickness: 50 nm). The repeatedrewriting characteristics and the resistance separation characteristicswere examined for the obtained memory cell array. The obtained resultswere equivalent to those obtained in Example 2 as shown in FIGS. 32A and32B.

Example 7-1

A memory cell array was manufactured similarly to Example 2, except thatthe ion supply layer 21B was made of Cu10Hf14Te37Al38. The cumulativefrequency distribution, the repeated rewriting characteristics, and theresistance separation characteristics were examined for the obtainedmemory cell array. The obtained results were equivalent to thoseobtained in Example 2 as shown in FIGS. 33A to 33C.

Example 7-2

A memory cell array was manufactured similarly to Example 2, except thatthe ion supply layer 21B was made of Cu10Ti14Te37Al38. The cumulativefrequency distribution, the repeated rewriting characteristics, and theresistance separation characteristics were examined for the obtainedmemory cell array. The obtained results were equivalent to thoseobtained in Example 2 as shown in FIGS. 34A to 34C.

Example 7-3

A memory cell array was manufactured similarly to Example 2, except thatthe intermediate layer 21A was made of Al1Te9 (thickness: 3.2 nm), theion supply layer 21B was made of Cu12.5Hf7.5Te35.4Al38Ge6.6 (thickness:60 nm), and the upper electrode 30 was made of tungsten (W) (thickness:30 nm). The cumulative frequency distribution, the repeated rewritingcharacteristics, and the resistance separation characteristics wereexamined for the obtained memory cell array. The obtained results wereequivalent to those obtained in Example 2 as shown in FIGS. 35A to 35C.

Examples 8-1 to 8-4

4-kbit memory cell arrays were manufactured similarly to Example 2. Atthat time, the surface of the lower electrode 10 made of a titaniumnitride (TiN) was directly subjected to plasma oxidation, whereby thefirst layer 22A made of a titanium oxide (TiOx) was formed. Thethickness and density of the first layer 22A was examined with respectto the obtained four samples (Examples 8-1 to 8-4) using an X-rayreflectivity technique. The examination results are shown in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Density Thickness (nm) (g/cm³) Example 8-1 1.15 3.314 Example8-2 1.563 3.871 Example 8-3 2.954 3.998 Example 8-4 4.762 3.046

The cumulative frequency distribution was examined for the obtainedmemory cell arrays of Examples 8-1 to 8-4 after 1000 repetitions of thewrite and erase operations and subsequently an accelerated temperaturetest were conducted. The results of the examination are shown in FIGS.36A, 36B, 37A, and 37B.

As can be understood from Table 1 and FIGS. 36A to 37B, the thickness ofthe first layer 22A was 1 nm or more for all cases of Examples 8-1 to8-4, and the written (low-resistance) state and the erased(high-resistance) state were separated. That is, it was confirmed thatfavorable resistance separation characteristics can be obtained when thethickness of the first layer 22A was 1 nm or more.

Examples 9-1 and 9-2

4-kbit memory cell arrays were manufactured similarly to Example 1. Atthat time, a Zr film was formed, as the transition metal material film,on the upper surface of the lower electrode 10 made of TiN, and the Zrfilm was oxidized, whereby a ZrOx layer 22A1 was formed. At that time, aTiOx layer 22A2 was also formed, and the first layer 22A in FIG. 2 wasformed. Moreover, although the ZrOx layer 22A1 was formed using Zr inthis example, the ZrOx layer 22A1 may be formed by oxidizing ZrN (seeFIG. 2).

The thickness and density of the first layer 22A were examined for theobtained two samples (Examples 9-1 and 9-2). In the case of Example 9-1,the thickness and density of the TiOx layer 22A2 were 1.49 nm and 3.86g/cm³, and the thickness and density of the ZrOx layer 22A1 were 1.48 nmand 5.23 g/cm³. In the case of Example 9-2, the thickness and density ofthe TiOx layer 22A2 were 2.39 nm and 3.70 g/cm³, and the thickness anddensity of the ZrOx layer 22A1 were 1.07 nm and 5.17 g/cm³.

In addition, the cumulative frequency distribution was examined for thememory cell arrays of Examples 9-1 and 9-2 after 1000 repetitions of thewrite and erase operations and subsequently an accelerated temperaturetest were conducted. The results of the examination are shown in FIGS.38A and 38B.

As can be understood from FIGS. 38A and 38B, the thickness of the firstlayer 22A was 1 nm or more for all cases of Examples 9-1 and 9-2, andthe written (low-resistance) state and the erased (high-resistance)state were separated. That is, it was confirmed that favorableresistance separation characteristics can be obtained when the thicknessof the first layer 22A was 1 nm or more.

Example 10 First Layer 22 a Made of Oxynitride

A memory cell array having the memory component 1 was manufacturedsimilarly to the second embodiment. First, a ZrN film was formed to athickness of 0.5 nm on a CMOS circuit, on which the plug of the lowerelectrode 10 made of TiN is formed, by reactive sputtering. As thedeposition conditions, the voltage applied to the Zr target was 3.5 kW,the flow rates of argon (Ar) and nitrogen (N₂) supplied into a chamberwere 25 sccm and 300 sccm, respectively, and the total pressure was 2.1E⁻³ (Torr). The partial pressure of Ar atmosphere was estimated as 2.0E⁻⁴ (Torr) and the partial pressure of nitrogen atmosphere was estimatedas 1.9 E⁻³ (Torr). Subsequently, the ZrN film was oxidized by plasmaoxidation, whereby the first layer 22A made of ZrON was formed.

Subsequently, the intermediate layer 21A made of Te was formed to athickness of 5 nm, and the ion supply layer 21B made of CuZrTeAlGe (Cu11 at %-Zr 11 at %-Te 30 at %-Al 40 at %-Ge 8 at %) was formed to athickness of 60 nm. After that, the upper electrode 30 made of W wasformed to a thickness of 50 nm. The process of this example can besummarized as follows.TiN/ZrN(0.5 nm)/plasma oxidation/Te(5 nm)/CuZrTeAlGe(60 nm)/W(50 nm)

After the laminated film of the lower electrode 10, the memory layer 20,and the upper electrode 30 was formed, the laminated film was subjectedto patterning and heat treatment similarly to Example 1. In this way, amemory cell array having the memory component 1 shown in FIG. 6 wasmanufactured.

The cumulative frequency distribution, the repeated rewritingcharacteristics, and the resistance separation characteristics wereexamined for the obtained memory cell array of Example 10. As shown inFIGS. 39A to 39C, favorable characteristics were obtained in all of thecumulative frequency distribution, the repetition characteristics, andresistance separation characteristics, as compared to ComparativeExample 1 where the transition metal oxide or the transition metaloxynitride of the embodiment was not used.

That is, it was understood that favorable resistance separationcharacteristics and favorable repetition characteristics were obtainedwhen the resistance variable layer 22 had a configuration in which thefirst layer 22A made of the transition metal oxynitride and the secondlayer 22B containing the aluminum oxide as its main component werelaminated in that order from the side of the lower electrode 10.

Example 11 Transition Metal Added in Intermediate Layer 21 a

A memory cell array having the memory component 1 was manufacturedsimilarly to the third embodiment. First, a ZrN film was formed to athickness of 0.5 nm on a CMOS circuit, on which the plug of the lowerelectrode 10 made of TiN is formed, by reactive sputtering similarly toExample 10. Subsequently, the ZrN film was oxidized by plasma oxidation,whereby the first layer 22A made of ZrON was formed.

Subsequently, the intermediate layer 21A made of Te95Zr5 was formed to athickness of 5 nm, and the ion supply layer 21B made of CuZrTeAlGe (Cu11 at %-Zr 11 at %-Te 30 at %-Al 40 at %-Ge 8 at %) was formed to athickness of 60 nm. After that, the upper electrode 30 made of tungsten(W) was formed to a thickness of 50 nm. The process of this example canbe summarized as follows.TiN/ZrN(0.5 nm)/plasma oxidation/Te95Zr5(5 nm)/CuZrTeAlGe(60 nm)/W(50nm)

After the laminated film of the lower electrode 10, the memory layer 20,and the upper electrode 30 was formed, the laminated film was subjectedto patterning and heat treatment similarly to Example 1. In this way, amemory cell array having the memory component 1 shown in FIG. 9 wasmanufactured.

The cumulative frequency distribution, the repeated rewritingcharacteristics, and the resistance separation characteristics wereexamined for the obtained memory cell array of Example 11. As shown inFIGS. 40A to 40C, favorable characteristics were obtained in all of thecumulative frequency distribution, the repetition characteristics, andresistance separation characteristics, as compared to ComparativeExample 1 where the transition metal oxide or the transition metaloxynitride of the embodiment was not used.

Moreover, the changes in the resistance were examined for the memorycell arrays of Examples 10 and 11 when a voltage of 0 to 3 V was appliedin the erasure direction to 60 components in the low-resistance state inwhich a write operation was performed. The examination results are shownin FIGS. 41A and 41B. As can be understood from FIGS. 41A and 41B, itwas confirmed that the components have not transitioned to thelow-resistance state in response to the erasure voltage within themeasurement range, and showed erasure characteristics equivalent orsuperior to those obtained in Example 1.

That is, it was understood that favorable resistance separationcharacteristics and favorable repetition characteristics were obtainedwhen the resistance variable layer 22 had a configuration in which thefirst layer 22A made of the transition metal oxynitride and the secondlayer 22B containing the aluminum oxide as its main component werelaminated in that order from the side of the lower electrode 10; the ionsource layer 21 had the two-layered structure of the intermediate layer21A and the ion supply layer 21B, and Zr was added in the intermediatelayer 21A as the transition metal.

Example 12 Transition Metal Added in Intermediate Layer 21 a

A memory cell array was manufactured similarly to Example 11 except thatWN was used for the lower electrode 10. The process of this example canbe summarized as follows.WN/ZrN(0.5 nm)/plasma oxidation/Te95Zr5(5 nm)/CuZrTeAlGe(60 nm)/W(50 nm)

The cumulative frequency distribution, the repeated rewritingcharacteristics, and the resistance separation characteristics wereexamined for the obtained memory cell array of Example 12. As shown inFIGS. 42A to 42C, favorable characteristics were obtained in all of thecumulative frequency distribution, the repetition characteristics, andresistance separation characteristics, as compared to ComparativeExample 1 where the transition metal oxide or the transition metaloxynitride of the embodiment was not used.

That is, it was understood that even when the lower electrode 10 wasmade of WN instead of TiN, favorable resistance separationcharacteristics and favorable repetition characteristics were obtainedwhen the resistance variable layer 22 had a configuration in which thefirst layer 22A made of the transition metal oxynitride and the secondlayer 22B containing the aluminum oxide as its main component werelaminated in that order from the side of the lower electrode 10; the ionsource layer 21 had the two-layered structure of the intermediate layer21A and the ion supply layer 21B, and Zr was added in the intermediatelayer 21A as the transition metal.

Examples 13-1 to 13-3 Other Materials of Oxynitride of First Layer

Memory cell arrays having the memory component 1 were manufacturedsimilarly to Example 10. At that time, on the CMOS circuit on which theplug of the lower electrode 10 made of TiN is formed, a TiN film, atantalum nitride (TaN) film, and a hafnium nitride (HfN) film wereformed respectively for Examples 13-1, 13-2, and 13-3. The respectivefilms were oxidized by plasma oxidation, whereby the first layer 22Amade of TiON, tantalum oxynitride (TaON), and hafnium oxynitride (HfON)respectively for Examples 13-1, 13-2, and 13-3 was formed.

The repeated rewriting characteristics and the resistance separationcharacteristics were examined for the obtained memory cell arrays ofExamples 13-1 to 13-3. As shown in FIGS. 43A and 43B to FIGS. 45A and45B, favorable characteristics were obtained as compared to ComparativeExample 1 where the transition metal oxide or the transition metaloxynitride of the embodiment was not used.

That is, it was understood that favorable resistance separationcharacteristics and favorable repetition characteristics were obtainedeven when the first layer 22A was made of TiON, TaON, or HfON.

Example 14 Oxygen Added in Ion Supply Layer 21B

A memory cell array having the memory component 1 was manufacturedsimilarly to the fourth embodiment. First, a Zr film was formed to athickness of 0.5 nm on a CMOS circuit, on which the plug of the lowerelectrode 10 made of TiN is formed, by reactive sputtering similarly toExample 10. Subsequently, the ZrN film was oxidized by plasma oxidation,whereby the first layer 22A made of ZrON was formed.

Subsequently, the intermediate layer 21A made of Te95Zr5 was formed to athickness of 5 nm, and the ion supply layer 21B made of CuZrTeAlGeO wasformed to a thickness of 60 nm. As a method of doping oxygen to the ionsupply layer 21B, a reactive sputtering method was used. As thedeposition conditions, a voltage having the same magnitude as that usedfor depositing the ion supply layer made of CuZrTeAlGe in Example 1 wasapplied to the respective targets. The flow rates of argon and oxygen(O₂) supplied into a chamber were 25 sccm and 5 sccm, respectively, andthe total pressure was 2.4 E⁻⁴ (Torr). The partial pressure of Aratmosphere was estimated as 2.0 E⁻⁴ (Torr) and the partial pressure ofoxygen atmosphere was estimated as 4.0 E⁻⁵ (Torr).

After that, the upper electrode 30 made of W was formed to a thicknessof 50 nm. The process of this example can be summarized as follows.TiN/ZrN(0.5 nm)/plasma oxidation/Te95Zr5(5 nm)/CuZrTeAlGeO(60 nm)/W(50nm)

After the laminated film of the lower electrode 10, the memory layer 20,and the upper electrode 30 was formed, the laminated film was subjectedto patterning and heat treatment similarly to Example 1. In this way, amemory cell array having the memory component 1 shown in FIG. 11 wasmanufactured.

The cumulative frequency distribution, the repeated rewritingcharacteristics, and the resistance separation characteristics wereexamined for the obtained memory cell array of Example 14. As shown inFIGS. 46A to 46C, favorable characteristics were obtained in all of thecumulative frequency distribution, the repetition characteristics, andresistance separation characteristics, as compared to ComparativeExample 1 where the transition metal oxide or the transition metaloxynitride of the embodiment was not used.

That is, it was understood that favorable resistance separationcharacteristics and favorable repetition characteristics were obtainedwhen the resistance variable layer 22 had a configuration in which thefirst layer 22A made of the transition metal oxynitride and the secondlayer 22B containing the aluminum oxide as its main component werelaminated in that order from the side of the lower electrode 10; the ionsource layer 21 had the two-layered structure of the intermediate layer21A and the ion supply layer 21B, and oxygen was added in the ion supplylayer 21B.

Example 15 Oxygen and Transition Metal Added in Intermediate Layer 21A

A memory cell array having the memory component 1 was manufacturedsimilarly to the fourth embodiment. First, a ZrN film was formed to athickness of 0.5 nm on a CMOS circuit, on which the plug of the lowerelectrode 10 made of TiN is formed, by reactive sputtering similarly toExample 10. Subsequently, the ZrN film was oxidized by plasma oxidation,whereby the first layer 22A made of ZrON was formed.

Subsequently, the intermediate layer 21A made of TeZrO was formed to athickness of 5 nm. As a method of doping oxygen to the intermediatelayer 21A, a reactive sputtering method was used. As the depositionconditions, the flow rates of Ar and oxygen (O₂) supplied into a chamberwere 25 sccm and 5 sccm, respectively, similarly to Example 11. Thepartial pressure of Ar atmosphere was estimated as 2.0 E⁻⁴ (Torr) andthe partial pressure of oxygen atmosphere was estimated as 4.0 E⁻⁵(Torr).

After that, the ion supply layer 21B made of CuZrTeAlGe (Cu 11 at %-Zr11 at %-Te 30 at %-Al 40 at %-Ge 8 at %) was formed to a thickness of 60nm, and finally, the upper electrode 30 made of W was formed to athickness of 50 nm. The process of this example can be summarized asfollows.TiN/ZrN(0.5 nm)/plasma oxidation/TeZrO(5 nm)/CuZrTeAlGe(60 nm)/W(50 nm)

After the laminated film of the lower electrode 10, the memory layer 20,and the upper electrode 30 was formed, the laminated film was subjectedto patterning and heat treatment similarly to Example 1. In this way, amemory cell array having the memory component 1 shown in FIG. 11 wasmanufactured.

The cumulative frequency distribution, the repeated rewritingcharacteristics, and the resistance separation characteristics wereexamined for the obtained memory cell array of Example 15. As shown inFIGS. 47A to 47C, favorable characteristics were obtained in all of thecumulative frequency distribution, the repetition characteristics, andresistance separation characteristics, as compared to ComparativeExample 1 where the transition metal oxide or the transition metaloxynitride of the embodiment was not used.

That is, it was understood that favorable resistance separationcharacteristics and favorable repetition characteristics were obtainedwhen the resistance variable layer 22 had a configuration in which thefirst layer 22A made of the transition metal oxynitride and the secondlayer 22B containing the aluminum oxide as its main component werelaminated in that order from the side of the lower electrode 10; the ionsource layer 21 had the two-layered structure of the intermediate layer21A and the ion supply layer 21B, and Zr and oxygen were added in theintermediate layer 21A as the transition metal.

As can be understood from comparison between Example 10 and Example 15,the erasure-side resistance distribution of Example 15 is on thehigher-resistance side than Example 10. This is considered to beattributable to the fact that by doping oxygen to the intermediate layer21A, the resistivity of the intermediate layer 21A increases. Thus, atthe time of the erase operation, the voltage applied to the intermediatelayer 21A increases, and the metal ions can easily return to the ionsupply layer 21B. In addition, a reaction in which the metal element ofthe conduction path is ionized to be dissolved into the ion source layer21 or combined with Te or the like, thus realizing a higher resistancestate, is likely to proceed.

Example 16 Only Oxygen But No Transition Metal Added in IntermediateLayer 21A and Oxygen Added in Ion Supply Layer 21B

A memory cell array having the memory component 1 was manufacturedsimilarly to the fourth embodiment. First, a ZrN film was formed to athickness of 0.5 nm on a CMOS circuit, on which the plug of the lowerelectrode 10 made of TiN is formed, by reactive sputtering similarly toExample 10. Subsequently, the ZrN film was oxidized by plasma oxidation,whereby the first layer 22A made of ZrON was formed.

Subsequently, the intermediate layer 21A made of TeO was formed to athickness of 5 nm similarly to Example 15. After that, the ion supplylayer 21B made of CuZrTeAlGe (Cu 11 at %-Zr 11 at %-Te 30 at %-Al 40 at%-Ge 8 at %) including oxygen (O) was formed to a thickness of 60 nmsimilarly to Example 14. Finally, the upper electrode 30 made of W wasformed to a thickness of 50 nm. The process of this example can besummarized as follows.TiN/ZrN(0.5 nm)/plasma oxidation/TeO(5 nm)/CuZrTeAlGeO(60 nm)/W(50 nm)

After the laminated film of the lower electrode 10, the memory layer 20,and the upper electrode 30 was formed, the laminated film was subjectedto patterning and heat treatment similarly to Example 1. In this way, amemory cell array having the memory component 1 shown in FIG. 11 wasmanufactured.

The cumulative frequency distribution, the repeated rewritingcharacteristics, and the resistance separation characteristics wereexamined for the obtained memory cell array of Example 16. As shown inFIGS. 48A to 48C, favorable characteristics were obtained in all of thecumulative frequency distribution, the repetition characteristics, andresistance separation characteristics, as compared to ComparativeExample 1 where the transition metal oxide or the transition metaloxynitride of the embodiment was not used.

That is, it was understood that favorable resistance separationcharacteristics and favorable repetition characteristics were obtainedwhen the resistance variable layer 22 had a configuration in which thefirst layer 22A made of the transition metal oxynitride and the secondlayer 22B containing the aluminum oxide as its main component werelaminated in that order from the side of the lower electrode 10; the ionsource layer 21 had the two-layered structure of the intermediate layer21A and the ion supply layer 21B, and oxygen was added in both theintermediate layer 21A and the ion supply layer 21B.

Example 17 Transition Metal and Oxygen Added in Intermediate Layer 21Aand Oxygen Added in Ion Supply Layer 21B

A memory cell array having the memory component 1 was manufacturedsimilarly to the fourth embodiment. First, a ZrN film was formed to athickness of 0.5 nm on a CMOS circuit, on which the plug of the lowerelectrode 10 made of TiN is formed, by reactive sputtering similarly toExample 10. Subsequently, the ZrN film was oxidized by plasma oxidation,whereby the first layer 22A made of ZrON was formed.

Subsequently, the intermediate layer 21A made of TeZrO was formed to athickness of 5 nm similarly to Example 15. After that, the ion supplylayer 21B made of CuZrTeAlGe (Cu 11 at %-Zr 11 at %-Te 30 at %-Al 40 at%-Ge 8 at %) including oxygen (O) was formed to a thickness of 60 nmsimilarly to Example 14. Finally, the upper electrode 30 made of W wasformed to a thickness of 50 nm. The process of this example can besummarized as follows.TiN/ZrN(0.5 nm)/plasma oxidation/TeZrO(5 nm)/CuZrTeAlGeO(60 nm)/W(50 nm)

After the laminated film of the lower electrode 10, the memory layer 20,and the upper electrode 30 was formed, the laminated film was subjectedto patterning and heat treatment similarly to Example 1. In this way, amemory cell array having the memory component 1 shown in FIG. 11 wasmanufactured.

The cumulative frequency distribution, the repeated rewritingcharacteristics, and the resistance separation characteristics wereexamined for the obtained memory cell array of Example 17. As shown inFIGS. 49A to 49C, favorable characteristics were obtained in all of thecumulative frequency distribution, the repetition characteristics, andresistance separation characteristics, as compared to ComparativeExample 1 where the transition metal oxide or the transition metaloxynitride of the embodiment was not used.

That is, it was understood that favorable resistance separationcharacteristics and favorable repetition characteristics were obtainedwhen the resistance variable layer 22 had a configuration in which thefirst layer 22A made of the transition metal oxynitride and the secondlayer 22B containing the aluminum oxide as its main component werelaminated in that order from the side of the lower electrode 10; the ionsource layer 21 had the two-layered structure of the intermediate layer21A and the ion supply layer 21B, Zr and oxygen were added in theintermediate layer 21A as the transition metal, and oxygen was added inthe ion supply layer 21B.

Example 18 Transition Metal and Oxygen Added in Intermediate Layer 21A

A memory cell array having the memory component 1 was manufacturedsimilarly to the fourth embodiment. First, the lower electrode 10 madeof TiN exposed on the CMOS circuit was oxidized by plasma oxidation,whereby the first layer 22A made of TiOx was formed to a thickness ofabout 1 nm.

Subsequently, a CuZrTe film was formed to a thickness of 5 nm andexposed to oxygen at a pressure of 10 Torr, whereby the intermediatelayer 21A made of CuZrTeOx was formed.

After that, the ion supply layer 21B made of CuZrTeAlGe (Cu 11 at %-Zr11 at %-Te 30 at %-Al 40 at %-Ge 8 at %) was formed to a thickness of 60nm, and finally, the upper electrode 30 made of W was formed to athickness of 50 nm. The process of this example can be summarized asfollows.TiN/plasma oxidation/CuZrTeOx(5 nm)/CuZrTeAlGe(60 nm)/W(50 nm)

Here, although the CuZrTeOx which is the intermediate layer 21A has acomposition of CuZrTeOx as denoted during the deposition, since actuallyAl is diffused from the CuZrTeAlGe layer which is the ion supply layer21B even at the room temperature, the CuZrTeOx becomes CuZrTeAlOx.

After the laminated film of the lower electrode 10, the memory layer 20,and the upper electrode 30 was formed, the laminated film was patternedso that the resistance variable layer 22, the ion source layer 21, andthe upper electrode 30 was left in a memory cell array portion.Moreover, etching was performed on the surface of the upper electrode 30so as to expose the contact portion of the upper electrode 30 forconnecting to an external circuit that applies an intermediate potential(Vdd/2).

After the laminated film was patterned, a wiring layer (not shown), forexample, made of Al was formed to a thickness of 200 nm, and the wiringlayer was connected to the contact portion of the upper electrode 30.After that, the laminated film was subjected to heat treatment at atemperature of 300° C. for 2 hours in a vacuum heat treatment furnace.In this way, a memory cell array having the memory component 1 shown inFIG. 11 was manufactured.

The repeated rewriting characteristics were examined for the obtainedmemory cell array of Example 18. During the examination, a pulse havinga voltage Vw of 3 V, a current of about 100 μA, and a pulse width of 10ns was used as a write pulse, a pulse having a voltage Ve of 2 V, acurrent of about 100 μA, and a pulse width of 10 nm was used as an erasepulse, and the rewrite operation was repeated 10⁵ times or more usingthe pulses. The results of the examination are shown in FIG. 50A.

As can be understood from FIG. 50A, a favorable memory operation whereinthe resistance values of the low-resistance state and thehigh-resistance state are different in the order of one digit or morewas obtained.

Subsequently, the cumulative frequency distribution (depicted by abroken line) after 1000 repetitions with a 4-kbit memory cell array andthe cumulative frequency distribution (depicted by a solid line) afteran accelerated data retention test at a temperature of 130° C. for 2hours were examined. The results of the examination are shown in FIG.50B.

As can be understood from FIG. 50B, the written state (low-resistancestate) and the erased state (high-resistance state) are separated,favorable variation characteristics were obtained, and favorableresistance separation characteristics were obtained even after theaccelerated data retention test. Therefore, it can be understood that byproviding a reference resistance between the two resistance states, itwas possible to read the written state (low-resistance state) and theerased state (high-resistance state), and favorable variationcharacteristics were obtained.

That is, it was understood that favorable resistance separationcharacteristics and favorable repetition characteristics were obtainedwhen the resistance variable layer 22 had a configuration in which thefirst layer 22A made of the transition metal oxynitride and the secondlayer 22B containing the aluminum oxide as its main component werelaminated in that order from the side of the lower electrode 10; the ionsource layer 21 had the two-layered structure of the intermediate layer21A and the ion supply layer 21B, and Cu, Zr, and oxygen were added inthe intermediate layer 21A as the transition metal.

Example 19 Transition Metal Added in Intermediate Layer 21 a

A memory cell array having the memory component 1 was manufacturedsimilarly to Example 18, except that the intermediate layer 21A was madeof CrTe. The process of this example can be summarized as follows.TiN/plasma oxidation/CrTe(5 nm)/CuZrTeAlGe(60 nm)/W(50 nm)

In this case, similarly to Example 18, the CrTe layer which is theintermediate layer 21A becomes CrAlTe due to diffusion of Al from theion supply layer 21B.

Comparative Example 4

A memory cell array having a memory component was manufactured similarlyto Example 18, except that the intermediate layer was made of Te. Theprocess of Comparative Example 4 can be summarized as follows.TiN/plasma oxidation/Te(5 nm)/CuZrTeAlGe(60 nm)/W(50 nm)

In this case, similarly to Example 18, the Te layer which is theintermediate layer becomes AlTe due to diffusion of Al from the ionsupply layer.

The resistance separation characteristics after 1000 repetitions wereexamined for the memory cell array obtained in Comparative Example 4. Atthat time, the currents used were 110 μA which is the same condition asused in Example 18 and 80 μA which is a lower current. The examinationresults are shown in FIGS. 51A and 51B.

As can be understood from FIGS. 50A and 50B and FIGS. 51A and 51B, underthe write conditions of the current of 100 μA, in all case of Example 18and Comparative Example 4, no overlap was found at the tail portions of4 kbit data, and resistance separation was possible. However, when thecurrent was decreased to 80 μA for Comparative Example 4, the resistancedistribution of both the low-resistance side for writing and thehigh-resistance side for erasure was deteriorated, and resistanceseparation was not possible. Therefore, it can be understood that in theconfiguration of Comparative Example 4, it was difficult to decrease therewrite current as compared to Example 18.

The resistance separation characteristics after 1000 repetitions withthe current of 80 μA were examined for the memory cell array obtained inExample 19. The examination results are shown in FIG. 52B. Moreover,FIGS. 52A and 52C show the results of the examination of the resistanceseparation characteristics after 1000 repetitions with the current of 80μA for Example 18 and Comparative Example 4, respectively.

As can be understood from FIGS. 52A to 52C, in the case of Example 19where chromium (Cr) was added in the intermediate layer 21A, the rewriteoperation at a low current was stable and a resistance separation marginwas secured.

In order to investigate the reason thereof, the CuZrTeOx layer of theintermediate layer 21A for Example 18, the CrTe layer of theintermediate layer 21A for Example 19, and the Te layer of theintermediate layer for Comparative Example 4 were produced, and thesheet resistances thereof were measured. The volume resistivitiesthereof were calculated as follows.

Te: 0.27 Ωcm

CuZrTeOx: 0.44 Ωcm

CrTe: 0.56 Ωcm

As can be understood from the result, the resistance of the intermediatelayers for Examples 18 and 19 was higher than that of the Te layer whichis the intermediate layer for Comparative Example 4. This is consideredto be attributable to the fact that since the resistance of theintermediate layer 21A becomes higher than the resistance of the ionsupply layer 21B, when the write and erase bias voltages are applied, anelectric field can be applied to the intermediate layer 21A moreeffectively, and a stronger electric field is applied to the ion speciesmainly of Al, whereby the ions can move more easily. Thus, both thewrite and erase operations are stabilized in Examples 18 and 19.

That is, it was understood that favorable resistance separationcharacteristics and favorable repetition characteristics were obtained,and particularly, the resistance separation characteristics at a lowcurrent were improved when the resistance variable layer 22 had aconfiguration in which the first layer 22A made of the transition metaloxynitride and the second layer 22B containing the aluminum oxide as itsmain component were laminated in that order from the side of the lowerelectrode 10; the ion source layer 21 had the two-layered structure ofthe intermediate layer 21A and the ion supply layer 21B, and Cr wasadded in the intermediate layer 21A.

As described above, even when Cr was added in the intermediate layer21A, by adding oxygen further, it can be expected that an appropriatelyhigh resistance value can be obtained. Therefore, it can be expectedthat the same or superior effect as Example 19 can be obtained.

Example 20 Transition Metal Added in Intermediate Layer 21 a

A memory cell array having the memory component 1 was manufacturedsimilarly to Example 19, except that the intermediate layer 21A was madeof MnTe. The process of Example 20 can be summarized as follows.TiN/plasma oxidation/MnTe(5 nm)/CuZrTeAlGe(60 nm)/W(50 nm)

In this case, similarly to Example 18, the MnTe layer which is theintermediate layer 21A becomes MnAlTe due to diffusion of Al from theion supply layer 21B.

The repeated rewriting characteristics and the resistance separationcharacteristics were examined for the obtained memory cell array ofExample 20. As shown in FIGS. 53A and 53B, favorable characteristicswere obtained in all of the repetition characteristics and resistanceseparation characteristics, as compared to Comparative Example 1 wherethe transition metal oxide or the transition metal oxynitride of theembodiment was not used.

That is, it was understood that favorable resistance separationcharacteristics and favorable repetition characteristics were obtained,and particularly, the resistance separation characteristics at a lowcurrent were improved when the resistance variable layer 22 had aconfiguration in which the first layer 22A made of the transition metaloxynitride and the second layer 22B containing the aluminum oxide as itsmain component were laminated in that order from the side of the lowerelectrode 10; the ion source layer 21 had the two-layered structure ofthe intermediate layer 21A and the ion supply layer 21B, and Mn wasadded in the intermediate layer 21A.

As described above, even when Mn was added in the intermediate layer21A, by adding oxygen further, it can be expected that an appropriatelyhigh resistance value can be obtained. Therefore, it can be expectedthat the same or superior effect as Example 20 can be obtained.

While the present invention has been described by way of embodiments andexamples, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments andexamples described above but may be modified in various forms.

For example, the present invention is not limited to the materials ofthe respective layers or the deposition method and deposition conditionsdescribed in the embodiments and examples, but other materials and otherdeposition methods may be used. For example, other transition metalelements such as Ti, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo, or W may be added in the ionsource layer 21 without departing from the above-mentioned compositionratios.

Moreover, for example, in the embodiments described above, althoughspecific layer configurations of the memory component 1 and the memorycell array 2 have been described, it is not necessary to have all thelayers, and another layer may be further provided.

In addition, for example, in the embodiments and examples, although acase where the memory component 1 has the lower electrode 10 (firstelectrode), the memory layer 20, and the upper electrode 30 (secondelectrode) which are provided in that order on the silicon substrate 41on which the CMOS circuit is formed has been described, the laminationorder may be reversed. In that case, the memory component 1 has aconfiguration in which the upper electrode 30 (second electrode), thememory layer 20, and the lower electrode 10 (first electrode) arelaminated in that order on the silicon substrate 41.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that variousmodifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occurdepending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they arewithin the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A memory component comprising: a first electrode;a memory layer; and a second electrode which are provided in that order,wherein, (a) the memory layer includes (1) an ion source layercontaining aluminum (Al) together with at least one chalcogen elementselected from the group consisting of tellurium (Te), sulfur (S), andselenium (Se), and (2) a resistance variable layer provided between theion source layer and the first electrode and containing an aluminumoxide and at least one of a transition metal oxide and a transitionmetal oxynitride having a lower resistance than the aluminum oxide, and(b) the resistance variable layer has a configuration in which a firstlayer made of at least one of the transition metal oxide and thetransition metal oxynitride and a second layer containing the aluminumoxide as its main component are layered in that order proceeding fromthe side of the first electrode.
 2. The memory component according toclaim 1, wherein the first layer has a thickness of 1 nm or more and hasa resistance lower than the resistance value of the second layer.
 3. Thememory component according to claim 1, wherein the resistance variablelayer contains the aluminum oxide and at least one of the transitionmetal oxide and the transition metal oxynitride in a mixed state.
 4. Thememory component according to claim 1, wherein the transition metaloxide or the transition metal oxynitride is at least one oxide oroxynitride of a transition metal selected from the group consisting oftitanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), vanadium (V), niobium (Nb),tantalum (Ta), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), and tungsten (W).
 5. Thememory component according to claim 1, wherein the ion source layerincludes: an intermediate layer containing at least one chalcogenelement selected from the group consisting of tellurium (Te), sulfur(S), and selenium (Se) together with aluminum (Al), and an ion supplylayer containing at least one metal element selected from the groupconsisting of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), silver (Ag), nickel (Ni), cobalt(Co), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), hafnium(Hf), vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), chromium (Cr),molybdenum (Mo), and tungsten (W) together with aluminum (Al) and thechalcogen element.
 6. The memory component according to claim 5, whereinthe ratio of an aluminum content to a chalcogen element content in theintermediate layer is smaller than the ratio of an aluminum content to achalcogen element content in the ion supply layer.
 7. The memorycomponent according to claim 5, wherein the intermediate layer has aresistance higher than the ion supply layer.
 8. The memory componentaccording to claim 5, wherein the intermediate layer contains at leastone transition metal selected from the group consisting of zirconium(Zr), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), titanium (Ti), andhafnium (Hf).
 9. The memory component according to claim 5, wherein atleast one of the intermediate layer and the ion supply layer containsoxygen (O).
 10. The memory component according to claim 5, wherein theintermediate layer contains oxygen (O) and at least one transition metalselected from the group consisting of copper (Cu), titanium (Ti),zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), chromium (Cr), and manganese (Mn).
 11. Thememory component according to claim 1, wherein information is storedusing a change in electrical characteristics of the memory layer causedby at least one of a redox reaction of the aluminum oxide in response toapplication of a voltage to the first electrode and the second electrodeand a movement of ions of the metal element contained in the ion sourcelayer.
 12. The memory component according to claim 11, wherein the metalelement contained in the ion source layer is at least one elementselected from the group consisting of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), silver(Ag), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), titanium(Ti), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), tantalum(Ta), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), and tungsten (W).
 13. The memorycomponent according to claim 11, wherein the aluminum oxide is formed byan oxidation reaction on the first electrode side caused by a movementor diffusion of ions of aluminum (Al) contained in the ion source layeror application of a voltage to the first electrode and the secondelectrode.
 14. The memory component according to claim 1, wherein: thefirst electrode is formed of at least one transition metal selected fromthe group consisting of titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf),vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), chromium (Cr), molybdenum(Mo), and tungsten (W) or a nitride thereof, and at least one of thetransition metal oxide and the transition metal oxynitride is formed byoxidizing a surface of the first electrode.
 15. The memory componentaccording to claim 1, wherein at least one of the transition metal oxideand the transition metal oxynitride is formed by forming a transitionmetal material film made of at least one transition metal selected fromthe group consisting of titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf),vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), tantalum (Ta), chromium (Cr), molybdenum(Mo), and tungsten (W) or a nitride thereof on an upper surface of thefirst electrode and oxidizing the transition metal material film and atleast the transition metal material film on the surface of the firstelectrode.
 16. A memory device comprising: a plurality of memorycomponents, each including a first electrode, a memory layer, and asecond electrode which are provided in that order; and a pulseapplication means for selectively applying a voltage or current pulse tothe plurality of memory components, wherein the memory layer includes anion source layer containing aluminum (Al) together with at least onechalcogen element selected from the group consisting of tellurium (Te),sulfur (S), and selenium (Se), and a resistance variable layer providedbetween the ion source layer and the first electrode and containing analuminum oxide and at least one of a transition metal oxide and atransition metal oxynitride having a lower resistance than the aluminumoxide.
 17. The memory device according to claim 16, wherein at leastsome of the layers constituting each of adjacent memory components ofthe plurality of memory components are formed by the same layers andprovided in common.
 18. The memory device according to claim 17, whereinthe common layers of the plurality of memory components are theresistance variable layer, the ion source layer, and the secondelectrode, and the first electrode is provided individually for eachmemory component.
 19. A method of operating a memory device including aplurality of memory components, each including a first electrode, amemory layer, and a second electrode which are provided in that order,and a pulse application means for selectively applying a voltage orcurrent pulse to the plurality of memory components, the memory layerincluding an ion source layer containing aluminum (Al) and a metalelement other than aluminum (Al) together with at least one chalcogenelement selected from the group consisting of tellurium (Te), sulfur(S), and selenium (Se), and a resistance variable layer provided betweenthe ion source layer and the first electrode and containing an aluminumoxide and at least one of a transition metal oxide and a transitionmetal oxynitride having a lower resistance than the aluminum oxide, themethod comprising the steps of: applying a voltage between the firstelectrode and the second electrode, so that in the ion source layer,aluminum (Al) ions and ions of a metal element contained in the ionsource layer are moved towards the first electrode side, and in theresistance variable layer, a conduction path is formed by a reductionreaction of an aluminum oxide or the ions of the metal element, thusrealizing a low-resistance state; and applying a reverse polarityvoltage between the first electrode and the second electrode, so that inthe ion source layer, the aluminum (Al) ions and the ions of the metalelement contained in the ion source layer are moved towards the secondelectrode side, and in the resistance variable layer, the aluminum (Al)ions form an aluminum oxide through an oxidation reaction, thusrealizing a high-resistance state, or the reduced metal element isionized to move towards the ion source layer, thus destroying theconduction path and realizing a high-resistance state.
 20. The method ofoperating the memory device according to claim 19, wherein the metalelement contained in the ion source layer is at least one elementselected from the group consisting of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), silver(Ag), nickel (Ni), cobalt (Co), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), titanium(Ti), zirconium (Zr), hafnium (Hf), vanadium (V), niobium (Nb), tantalum(Ta), chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), and tungsten (W).
 21. A memorydevice comprising: a plurality of memory components, each including afirst electrode, a memory layer, and a second electrode which areprovided in that order; and a pulse application unit configured toselectively apply a voltage or current pulse to the plurality of memorycomponents, wherein the memory layer includes an ion source layercontaining aluminum (Al) together with at least one chalcogen elementselected from the group consisting of tellurium (Te), sulfur (S), andselenium (Se), and a resistance variable layer provided between the ionsource layer and the first electrode and containing an aluminum oxideand at least one of a transition metal oxide and a transition metaloxynitride having a lower resistance than the aluminum oxide.
 22. Thememory component of claim 1, wherein said first layer of said resistancevariable layer is in contact with said first electrode.